VANCOUVER - A man has been found not criminally responsible for stabbing three people at a Vancouver Chinatown festival due to a mental disorder. Blair Donnelly, 66, was accused of aggravated assault following the incident at the Light Up Chinatown festival in September 2023. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Eric Gottardi stated that the court does not convict individuals for being mentally ill. During the trial, it was revealed that Donnelly had sought a sign from the Holy Spirit not to carry out the stabbings but proceeded with the attack, believing he was obeying God. The court heard that Donnelly was on unescorted leave from the B.C. Forensic Psychiatric Hospital at the time of the attack. He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and more recently with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, which includes religious delusions. Donnelly's lawyer argued that his mental illness made him incapable of understanding the wrongfulness of his actions. In contrast, Crown counsel contended that he was aware of his actions at the time. Donnelly testified that he had left the hospital intending to visit a coffee shop but felt compelled by God to go to Chinatown instead. He purchased a chisel at Home Depot, which he used in the stabbings. He described his actions, stating, "I believe I was prompted by God to hurt somebody that day." Donnelly approached three individuals at the festival, stabbing two women in the back and a man in the arm. He claimed he did not wish to kill anyone, only to hurt them. Donnelly has a history of violent behavior linked to his mental health issues. He was previously found not criminally responsible for the 2006 stabbing death of his daughter and for a 2017 attack on another psychiatric patient. Following the verdict, Donnelly's case will be reviewed by the B.C. Review Board, which will make a determination within 90 days.