Toronto man acquitted in cannabis-induced choking attack on young girl

Cannabis vape pens. The accused “used a brand of cannabis recommended by the store, but one he had not used before. The cannabis was in vape form. Instead of relieving his anxiety, he felt more anxious,” the judge wrote. Photo by Adobe Stock

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A Toronto man who argued he was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis when he choked a seven-year-old girl three years ago while naked has been acquitted of assault charges.

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Ahmed Baig pleaded not guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to assault causing bodily harm and assault by choking for the Aug. 2, 2023, attack in which he left his home wearing only a towel after vaping cannabis. His towel eventually fell off, and Baig started chasing a family he encountered in their driveway.

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“He ran into the driveway and picked up a seven-year-old girl. He threw her to the ground, punched her and strangled her. He then abruptly left the driveway, and a short time later was arrested by police. At the time of arrest, he wore only a T-shirt,” Justice Mara Greene wrote in a recent decision.

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The judge concluded that Baig’s attack was due to “nonmental disorder automatism.” She found him not guilty of both charges.

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Baig didn’t “dispute that he attacked the seven-year-old girl,” said Greene. “He argued, however, that he should be acquitted of the charges because his actions were involuntary as he was suffering from a cannabis induced psychosis at the time of the attack.”

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The Crown argued that “while Mr. Baig’s mental faculties may have been impacted by cannabis, his acts were still volitional,” said the decision.

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In the alternative, the Crown recommended Baig should be found Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) due to a mental disorder.

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The court heard Baig lived in a muti-generational home with extended family. On the day of the attack, he was left alone and got anxious.

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“Home alone, Mr. Baig decided to consume cannabis to help with his feelings of anxiety,” said the Aug. 13 decision.

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“He used a brand of cannabis recommended by the store, but one he had not used before. The cannabis was in vape form. Instead of relieving his anxiety, he felt more anxious.”

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Baig called his wife, asking her to come home, then went to bed. “Mr. Baig testified that his next memory after lying down on his bed was being in a cell and then being fingerprinted.”

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His victim’s identity is protected by a publication ban.

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During the attack, which was captured on video surveillance, Baig “said both ‘I will kill you’ and ‘I won’t kill you,’” according to the victim’s mother.

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“He also referred to Allah.”

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He “sounded nonsensical at times and made comments about billionaires,” said the victim’s father.

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When police asked Baig if he wanted a lawyer, he “stated that he wanted Neil Patrick Harris or a lawyer from a television show,” said the decision. “He also talked about bitcoin and lotteries.”

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Baig answered some questions appropriately and obeyed a police command to drop to the ground, said the decision. “He also told the police that he was ‘mentally insane.’ Once at the police station he was able to answer questions posed to him and appeared more coherent.”