Hari Pal's murder trial cancelled over mental health concerns

The trial for a man accused of murdering his wife and her friend has been cancelled after concerns about Hari Pal's mental health were identified.

Although he's already undergone one 30-day assessment, forensic psychiatrist Dr. David Tano has recommended Pal be examined for another 30 days.

• 'This is the worst nightmare,' saysHari Pal's alleged victim's husband

Pal is accused of stabbing to death his wifeSanjulaDevi, 36 and her friendFahmidaVelji-Visram, 29 in front of the couple's daughter on May 4, 2014.

When police arrived at the Penbrooke Drive home, responding officers found Devi dead in the doorway of the home, Velji-Visram came running out of the house and was injured. Despite neighbours' attempts to help her, she was pronounced dead in hospital.

Police had been called to the home the month before after a domestic argument, but no charges were laid.

Velji-Visramhad reportedly gone withDevi to the home on the night of the stabbings to collect her belongings.

Pal fled the scene and was arrested shortly after but had to be taken to hospital with self-inflicted injuries.

A judge will hear evidence about Pal's mental state on Oct. 31. If he is found mentally unfit to stand trial, the accused will be held in a secure mental health facility for treatment.

A new trial date of Dec. 4, 2017 has been set in case Pal is found fit to stand trial.

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