Greyhound Cannibal Disturbing Evidence Revealed in Court

Warning – Graphic evidence now part of public record. Proceed with caution!

Li had few friends, those he had describe him as having mental problems, but never knew him to be violent.

- At approximately 8:30 pm on Wednesday, 30 July 2008, Li began to repeatedly stab Tim McLean, for no apparent reason.

- Tim McLean struggled and tried to escape, as evidenced by a number of defensive wounds.

- Li came to the front of the bus and tried to exit. The bus driver was able to close the door on Mr. Li’s arm, with the bloody knife extended outside of the bus.

- Mr. Scyrup, another Greyhound driver who pulled over to help, realized that Li was severing the head of Tim McLean. Scyrup got off the bus, as he realized that Tim McLean was dead and could not be helped.

- Li went to the front of the bus, holding the severed head of Tim McLean in one hand and a black-handled knife in the other hand. He motioned that he wished to be let off the bus.

- Li threw the head of Tim McLean into the stairwell and then returned to the back of the bus and continued to mutilate the body of Tim McLean with a buck knife and a pair of scissors.

- Li appeared to smell, and then eat parts of Tim McLean’s flesh. He also appeared to lick blood from his fingers and hands. Mr. Li continued to carry Tim McLean’s internal organs and various body parts throughout the bus, later returning to bag them in white plastic garbage bags. He also carried the head of Tim McLean from time to time.

- After arrest, found in Li’s pants pocket was a plastic bag containing Tim McLean’s ear, nose, and tongue.

- A variety of Tim McLean’s body parts and organs were found throughout the bus.

- The tip of the knife blade was located in the skull of Tim McLean in the forehead area just above the inner aspect of the right eyebrow.

- The autopsy reveals that the cause of death of Tim McLean was multiple stab wounds.

- The body of Tim McLean showed evidence of damage in excess of 100 areas, ranging from abrasions to a large gaping wound of the chest.

- The eyes were missing and not recovered.

- The internal organs were recovered, in plastic bags, in 4 separate areas of the bus.

- Dr. Littman, the pathologist, estimates that one third of the heart of Tim McLean was never recovered and it is presumed that Mr. Li ate it.

- Tim McLean’s eyes were never recovered, and are presumed to have been eaten also.

Li denies eating the flesh of Tim McLean.

Carol deDelley, Tim’s mother, said, "The laws are grossly inadequate in circumstances like this. NCR (not criminally responsible) may have its place or may be correct in some circumstances. I don't think so, not in this one. And now every year we will have to undergo a review to ensure the public is safe from Mr. Li."

Justice John Scurfield will deliver his verdict this morning. Scurfield said he would review medical reports in the case before issuing his verdict.

"Hopefully (I can) express it in a way that is understandable to Mr. McLean's family, Mr. Li and the public in general."

Good Lord! This man should never be loosed on society!

CBC.ca

Canada.com

Winnipeg Sun

AFP

Greyhound Cannibal’s Psychiatrist Testifies in Court

After pleading not guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday morning, the court heard that Vince Weiguang Li thought Tim McLean was the force of evil and God 'told' him to kill Tim. Li also believed that McLean would come back to life to ‘finish him off’ which led Li to proceed to decapitate and defile McLean’s body.

Li was clearly suffering from a major psychotic episode as a result of schizophrenia at the time of the attack according to Dr. Stanley Yaren.

Yaren, the only prosecution witness in the case, also told the court that Li is a decent man who has been co-operative and has made major strides since being hospitalized and medicated. He also said Li could be able to function again in the community.

Yaren said Li is gradually beginning to realize what he's done, but still doesn't accept the fact he cannibalized some of McLean's body parts.

Prosecution and defense attorneys have agreed on a statement of facts in the case, and none of the witnesses to the slaying would be called.

Judge Scurfield is likely to decide Mr. Li should not be held criminally responsible.

Li’s mental problems likely began in 2003. He was briefly hospitalized in Ontario after being picked up by police. Li was found walking down a highway believing he was following the sun. Li received no additional treatment after the brief hospitalization.

After court, Carol deDelley, Tim’s mother, told reporters she found it offensive a psychiatrist described her son's killer as a decent man.

I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for Tim’s family and friends to hear that after some months of treatment and medication Li could be reintroduced to society.

Mental illness is a sad and serious situation, but I have to wonder - as I’m sure many do - what guarantee could be made that if Li is released he will continue treatment, continue medication, and not suffer another psychotic episode? A vibrant 22-year-old man was brutally murdered. Do we wait for another victim?

Calgary Herald

Canada.com

Vince Weiguang Li, Greyhound Cannibal – No Prison Time?

~Vince Li





It was a crime so horrifying it shocked and sickened people around the world. As horror-struck passengers watched, Vince Weiguang Li’s stabbed and beheaded 22-year-old Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus last summer.

During a three-day hearing this week, it is expected that Li will be found not criminally responsible for his actions. Both the prosecution and defense are expected to present a psychiatrist who will say Li should be found not criminally responsible for McLean’s death. That will be the only evidence presented in this case and it is expected the judge will agree.

Under present law - which replaced the past verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity - Li will not face a long prison sentence as punishment.

A person found not criminally responsible will instead be placed in an institution. Li’s stay could be indefinite, possibly his entire lifetime. Or, if doctors determine he is no longer a threat, he could be released in a matter of months.

Carol deDelley, McLean’s mother, has been actively lobbying politicians to revise the current law with what is known as “Tim’s Law”. The proposed legislation would put the rights of a victim of crime ahead of those of the perpetrator. It would make it mandatory that anyone who voluntarily takes another person’s life loses their freedom for the rest of their own life.

Canada.com

cbc.ca

Greyhound Cannibal Fit to Stand Trial

~Vince Li

In August, Vince Weiguang Li was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he was competent to stand trial for the killing of 22-year-old Tim McLean.

On Monday, Li did not appear in the Manitoba court, but his lawyer, Gordon Bates, told reporters that a psychiatric assessment had found that Li understood the charges. That finding allows the case to proceed.

Details of the findings were not made public.

The case resumes on November 6.

FOX News.com

Beheading Suspect, Vince Li’s Hearing Postponed

Defense lawyer Alan Libman told the court today, a psychiatrist needs more time to complete a report about whether the Li is fit to stand trial.

The psychiatrist examining Li has asked for an extension, saying the evaluation report should be ready on October 6.

Li's attorneys told the court Vince Li is still undergoing a court-ordered 30-day assessment. Li has also switched doctors, the lawyers said.

Prosecutor Joyce Dalymn told the court Li was cooperating with the new doctor and supported the postponement.

Libman declined to comment about his dealings with Li, who refused a lawyer in his first court appearance.

Li was not required to attend Monday’s hearing and he has yet to enter a plea.

Li is accused of brutally attacking and beheading Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus.

UPI

Family of Beheading Victim Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Tim McLean, Sr., is the lone plaintiff in a lawsuit filed on behalf of twelve other family members against Greyhound Canada, the police, the Canadian government, and Vince Li for his son's brutal death.

The suit claims Greyhound passengers were not adequately safeguarded by Greyhound or responding law enforcement.

In a formal statement Tuesday, Jay Prober, counsel for the family who filed the suit said, "This lawsuit is not about money. It's about accountability, responsibility for what happened to their son. It's about getting answers, so that his death might not be a total waste . . . that there might be some good to come out of it." No one from McLean's family were present at the press conference.

The lawsuit is filed under Canada's Fatal Accidents Act.

A major issue of the suit is why law enforcement waited over five hours to apprehend Vince Li, during which time he mutilated and ate parts of Tim McLean's body.

A long-haul trucker, Christopher Alguire who came to the aid of the Greyhound bus passengers and faced off with Vince Li on the bus has publicly stated that police could have immediately stormed the bus instead of waiting for hours for Li to try to exit the bus.

Alguire and another Greyhound driver who stopped to help the terrified passengers, forcibly held the doors to the bus closed, trapping Li inside until authorities arrived.

Last week, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that Tim McLean's mother said the family had "serious questions about police conduct," and wondered why police waited so long to react.

National Post.com

Times & Transcript.com

Edmonton Sun.com

Beheading Suspect, Vince Weiguang Li Has An Attorney

Vince Weiguang Li, at last court appearance.










It is unknown what happened to change the situation since Li's last court appearance where he declined counsel, but according to the Cape Brenton Post, Li will be represented by defense attorney Alan Liebman with Legal Aid Manitoba.

After Li's last court appearance, he was moved to Winnipeg's only secure psychiactric ward at Health Sciences Centre for his court ruled mental evaluation. Liebman, who would not comment on his representation of Li, has yet to speak to Li's wife stated he would not be making a bail application for Li.

Greyhound Cannibal Murder an Act of Premeditation?

The Windingo is a creature appearing in the mythology of the Algonquin people. It is a malevolent cannibalistic spirit into which humans could tranform, or which could possess humans.

Windingo psychosis is a culture bound disorder which involves an intense craving for human flesh and fear that one will turn into a cannibal. – Wikipedia

The murderers would often decapitate corpses and sometimes begged captors to kill them before they started eating people.

On July 20 the Edmonton Sun ran an extensive article by ethno-historian Nathan Carlson. The article featured his expertise on Windingos.

He now feels incredible guilt that his article, run in the paper that Vince Li delivered, may have contributed to the horrific death of Tim McLean, 10 days later.

"At first when I heard the news, it kind of stunned me," Carlson said.

"It was weighing very, very heavily on my mind."

Hoping to clear his conscience, Carlson contacted RCMP, advising them of the potential link between the article and the Greyhound slaying. Officers working at the Portage la Prairie RCMP station were receptive to his concerns and told Carlson they would take his information seriously.

Police are now trying to determine whether Vince Li may have acted criminally after reading about the Windingo in the newspapers he delivered.

Edmonton Sun

Vincent Weiguang Li Will Not Be Deported

~Vincent Li


While some have called for the Greyhound cannibal to be sent back to China, it won’t happen.

Justice sources say Vincent Weiguang Li, 40, became a Canadian citizen on Nov. 7, 2006.

Li is entitled to full immunity from deportation regardless of what happens with his criminal case.

Vincent Li is accused of the slaying and decapitation of Tim McLean.

Li must undergo a forensic psychiatric assessment and will be back in court on September 8.

His mental health is expected to be the only issue as the case moves forward. Those who got to know Li in Winnipeg believe he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia but that he rejected suggestions to go see a doctor.

His wife has told police Li spent four days in an unidentified psychiatric facility. RCMP are investigating that claim.
Edmonton Sun

Canada.com

PETA Hijacks Canadian Beheading Victim's Story

In a move I can only think of as unconscionable, PETA has latched onto the horrific death of Tim McLean in their latest ad campaign. I don't know if it was ironic or just pain sick when they tried to place the ad in the Portage La Prairie paper, The Daily Graphic.

According to news reports PETA is not backing down or apologizing for the ad. PETA has a history of shock advertising, but this latest stunt has reached a new low. PETA has consistently shown that their concern is more for animals than it is for human beings. No matter what your position is on vegetarianism, animal rights or PETA, I believe the family of Tim McLean should sue the fur off of PETA. Our hearts are with Tim's family and the continued suffering they are enduring by this outrageous exploitation of their loved one's death.

City News.ca has a link on their story where you can see the ad.

Greyhound Cannibal - First Strike Was Not On The Bus

The judge, today, has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Mr. Li and he will next appear in court on September 8.

As part of her submissions to secure the psychiatric evaluation, the Crown attorney in the case, Joyce Dalmyn, revealed disturbing new details about what happened that night on the bus.

According to a police report read by the Crown, officers discovered a plastic bag containing an ear, nose and part of a mouth in the pocket of the accused.

The night of the deadly attack, Ms. Dalmyn said the only response officers received from Mr. Li: "I have to stay on the bus forever".

Oh my god, this is only going to get worse!

Globe and Mail

Did The Greyhound Cannibal Actually Commit 1st Degree Murder, Not 2nd?

News has emerged that Vince Li spent nearly an hour chatting up the Tim McLean’s co-worker during their ride through western Manitoba, the Winnipeg.

Li sat in the front of the bus next to a woman known only as Stacy. They were seen chatting and smoking together on a rest stop.

When the bus trip resumed, Li suddenly moved to the back of the bus and sat beside McLean, who was listening to his headphones and apparently asleep.

McLean's family and friends don't believe Li's change-of-seating was a coincidence. And they question why he was charged with second-degree murder and not first-degree murder, which indicates planning and premeditation.

"I have this unbelievably strong feeling that him sitting beside Stacy had something to do with this," McLean's former girlfriend, Alexandra Storey.

McLean’s family wants to talk to Stacey, but have no knowledge of her last name.

Storey received a series of text message from McLean mentioning that some people were doing ecstasy on the bus.

Medical experts say ecstasy and a pre-existing mental condition could trigger a violent episode.

The Gazette

Greyhound Cannibal In Court For Second Hearing

~Vince Weiguang Li
Vince Weiguang Li, who after refusing to speak at his first hearing, returned to court today.

Accused of second-degree murder in the stabbing death and beheading of Tim McLean last Wednesday, Li has been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

In his brief court appearance today, Li was heard softly saying please kill me.

Edmonton Sun

Beheading Killer Ate Victim, Tim McLean

Update!
I was in shock reading this latest news. According to the Associated Press, Royal Canadian Mounted Police transmissions were leaked of a police officer at the scene who observed Li (referred to as "Badger" on the tape) removing pieces of his victim and eating them.

From Boston-Herald.com:
"Okay, Badger’s at the back of the bus, hacking off pieces and eating it," he says at the end of the approximately 80-second recording.

The RCMP issued a statement saying it was aware that portions of the radio transmission had been leaked to the Internet but that it had not given permission to use the tape because they are "operational police communications" that are not meant for public consumption.

I don't know how this story can get any worse.

Update: August 3rd, 2008
There is very little to report other than McLean's family is requesting privacy to grieve (as of Saturday, they had not made a statement) and that Li's next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th.

Alex McLean, victim's uncle speaks to the media.

Update: August 4th, 2008
Alex McLean, Tim's uncle and family spokesperson read a statement from the family to the press yesterday.

From Sympatico MSN News:
"He made friends effortlessly, disliked no one and accepted everyone for who they were," McLean said.

"Tim spent his life travelling and meeting new people and always saw the good in everyone."

McLean said his nephew was a "stubborn soul and a kind one."

Alex McLean requested of the media, "We are suffering... our loss, it is obviously a most difficult time for us...at this time, we are requesting the media and public to let us grieve with family and friends."

CNN.Crime

Canada.com

Canadian Man, Tim McLean, Beheaded on a Greyhound Bus

Tim McLean, 22, from his Facebook page.


Late in the evening on Wednesday, July 30th, approximately three dozen passengers watched, screaming in horror as Vince Weiguang Li, 40, suddenly started stabbing a sleeping man beside him 40 to 60 times, decapitating him then waiving the head at fellow bus travelers. After the driver pulled over, the bus driver, a passenger and the driver of a truck trapped Li inside the bus as passengers fled the bloody scene. At this time LE does not believe the victim, Tim McLean, 22 and his assailant knew each other. The random attack appeared to be unprovoked according to several witnesses.

The Greyhound bus had made it's last stop in Brandon, Manitoba on a long journey that originated in Edmonton, Alberta and headed for Winnipeg. The attack occurred approximately 12 miles west of Portage La Prairie, on a desolate plains stretch of the Trans Canada Highway. Men, women and children who witnessed the attack were in shock, crying, some becoming physically ill as they waited by the roadside for several hours while police tried to get Li to exit the bus. He was finally apprehended at 1:28 am after Li tried to break out of a bus window.

From Canada.com:
"He didn't do anything to provoke the guy. The guy just took a knife out and stabbed him, started stabbing him like crazy and cut his head off," said Garnet Caton, 26, a passenger on the Edmonton-to- Winnipeg bus.
From BBC:
"He calmly walks up to the front [of the bus] with the head in his hand and the knife and just calmly stares at us and drops the head right in front of us," Mr Caton said.

"There was no rage in him... It was just like he was a robot or something," he added.

The attack appeared to be unprovoked and it is thought the killer did not know his victim.

The passengers, many of whom were badly shaken by what they witnessed, were taken to a hotel in Brandon, Manitoba, and were given crisis counselling.

Canton also indicated that right before the attack, Li had just changed seats to sit next to his victim. Tim McLean, who had boarded the bus in Edmonton, was a summer carnival worker for the past three years at Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition.

On Friday, a bruised and bandaged Li appeared in court in Portage La Prairie, where he was charged with second degree murder. Li said few words and nodded his head when Judge Rocky Pollack asked him if he was exercising his right not to speak. Pollack ordered a psychological evaluation of Li pending Li having the opportunity to speak to an attorney. Li worked for a MacDonald's in Edmonton as well as delivering newspapers for a distribution firm. His delivery employer, Vincent Augert said,

"I believe he was having some marital problems." When he met with Li to hire him back as a newspaper distributor, he said, "you could almost read between the lines" from the way Li was talking "that there was something not right there."

Just as the bus was leaving Brandon, McLean sent a text message to his father, asking if he could come home for a night, Tim McLean, Sr., told CBS news. That was his last communication with his son. Friends of McLean bonded together to grieve for a man described as a "sweet man," a "ladies man," a "bright and bubbly guy who who was always out for fun." One friend, who traveled with him had nicknamed McLean "Tiny Tim."

I can't imagine the terror that these passengers went through, having to witness this horrific event. Please leave a condolence message for the family of Tim McLean, here, who's bright life ended so tragically.

Canada.com

Other Greyhound Bus Incidents