EDMONTON — Bail has been denied to a man accused of taking nine people hostage at the Workers’ Compensation Board building in Edmonton last October.
A judge has ruled that Patrick Clayton could pose a risk to the public, or at the very least have people question how an accued hostage-taker could be returned to the streets.
The judge also noted that the 38-year-old man has no family ties in Alberta, no support system and no place to live.
Clayton is charged with nine counts of hostage-taking with a firearm, six counts of pointing a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, careless use of a firearm and using a firearm in the commission of an offence.
A court was told earlier this month that a psychiatric assessment found Clayton was not suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the Oct. 21 hostage-taking and that he is fit to stand trial.
He returns to court Feb. 3rd.