Vernon man found not criminally responsible for killing his mother has day release extended

A Vernon man who was found not criminally responsible for killing his mother in 2017 will continue to be allowed to go to work three days a week and remain on day release. A recently published July 22 BC Review Board decision found that Angelo Gabriel Monfort had made significant progress in the last few years, but still needed supervised residential living to make sure he took his medication and remained abstinent from drugs. Monfort's case dates back to 2017 when he was 21 years old and living with his mother and younger brother at the Strand apartment complex on Okanagan Lake in Vernon. Trained in martial arts, Monfort completely unprovoked kicked his mother in the chest and repeatedly jumped on her chest and neck while she lay on the floor. His teenage brother witnessed the violence and his mother died in hospital shortly afterwards. He was originally charged with second-degree murder but found not criminally responsible https://infotel.ca/newsitem/man-charged-with-mothers-murder-in-vernon-not-criminally-responsible-due-to-mental-disorder/it53465 and transferred to a psychiatric hospital. READ MORE: Former Kelowna man guilty of intimidating justice system gets another break from justice system https://infotel.ca/newsitem/former-kelowna-man-guilty-of-intimidating-justice-system-gets-another-break-from-justice-system/it107191 The Review Board decision said Montford, who is now 28, moved to Canada from the Philippines with his mom and brother in 2016. He has a history of mental illness and substance abuse and was hospitalized in the Philippines in 2015 after developing bizarre delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. "A psychological assessment completed during his stay noted him to have antisocial, histrionic and narcissistic personality traits," the decision said. He was ultimately diagnosed with schizophrenia, which has now been in remission for a few years. The decision said Montford worked three days a week in a supermarket and has had more than 140 unescorted outings in the community without any issues. He's currently in the Lower Mainland living in a transitional care facility. The Review Board's assessment speaks to the progress Montford has made in the years after killing his mother but still cautions that he would become acutely psychotic if he stopped taking his medication. While the Review Board talks about the progress he's made in treatment it still highlighted red flags. "Some of his responses to questions were indicative of problematic personality traits," the decision read. "When talking about his grief after (his mother's death), he focused only on his concern for his legal jeopardy, that he might face life in prison, rather than on the loss of his mother and the manner in which she died." His brother continues to struggle with what took place, but Montford down played it saying his brother was resilient. READ MORE: Vernon woman finds new life and love after dementia diagnosis https://infotel.ca/newsitem/vernon-woman-finds-new-life-and-love-after-dementia-diagnosis/it107160 "His responses do not accord with a person who feels true remorse and grief over what transpired... he appears focused on his own wellbeing and future rather than the impact of his actions on others," the decision read. His proposed long-term goal to move to Kelowna to live near his aunt and brother, a move the Review Board wasn't happy with. "We acknowledge that he has done well in the last couple of years as evidenced by maintaining employment and his successful transition to (supportive housing). However, we note the serious nature of the index offence and as a result, a cautious approach to reintegration into the community must be established. His problematic personality traits remain present and given that we accept they are risk relevant, we find that the risk to the community is not remote but real and substantial," the Review Board said. Ultimately, the Board ruled that Monford should remain living in the Lower Mainland in the supportive unit, until his case is reviewed again next summer. To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer mailto:bbulmer@infonews.ca  or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .