A Superior Court justice ruled this week that a Blenheim man was not criminally responsible for the murder of his wife.
The Chatham-Kent Police charged Walter Ardis, now 79, with the first degree murder of his wife, Margaret Ardis, stemming from an incident in Blenheim.
Police officials say on Thursday, March 24, 2016 shortly before 1 p.m. emergency crews responded to a residential fire at 58 Nichols Drive in Blenheim.
As emergency personnel entered the home to battle the blaze, Margaret Ardis, 73, was found deceased inside the residence.
Police say her husband sustained injuries and was transported to the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for medical attention.
On Friday, March 25, a post-mortem examination was conducted at University Hospital in London which concluded that the woman’s cause of death was not fire related, but as a result of a criminal offence.
Walter Ardis was subsequently charged with First Degree Murder.
Fast forward to this week, reports say the court heard that Walter Ardis used a 38-calibre handgun to shoot his wife of 27 years in the back of the head before using gasoline to torch their Blenheim home.
Experts said in court that Walter Ardis was diagnosed with vascular dementia, which impacted the frontal lobe of his brain, the portion where cognitive functions, judgement and problem-solving occur, reports say.
Experts said people suffering from this disease can be impaired to the point where they are not able to appreciate the consequences of their decisions.
In Walter Ardis’ case, the disease impaired his ability to think and reason properly, reports say.
The crown attorney, defence and judge all agreed to the assessment made by London, Ontario forensic psychiatrist Dr. Arun Prakash, that Walter Ardis was not criminally responsible for killing his wife.
Reports say Ardis will remain in custody at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care.
A review board is set to hold a hearing within 45 days.
