Hearing to determine if Udo Haan not criminally responsible for wife’s death, Kitchener explosion
A hearing is underway at the Kitchener courthouse to determine if Udo Haan is not criminally responsible for the death of his wife Edra Haan, who was found in the aftermath of the 2018 house explosion in Kitchener.
Shortly after 8 a.m. on Aug. 22, 2018, their home at 56 Sprucedale Crescent exploded and caught fire.
Edra Haan was found dead in the backyard.
Her husband, Udo, was seriously hurt.
Two neighbouring homes were left with structural damage and eventually had to be demolished. A number of other homes were also damaged in the blast.
Weeks after the murder, Udo Haan was charged with first-degree murder and three arson-related charges.
On Wednesday morning, when asked how he pleaded to the four counts, Haan’s lawyer responded: “The accused admits to the underlying facts that constitute the offence.”
Haan then responded: “Yes.”
Udo Haan is seen in this undated photo.
In an agreed statement of facts, court head that Udo Haan was increasingly paranoid in the months leading up the house explosion. He believed his wife was having an affair and was also being followed by people who were after him.
Haan had extra surveillance cameras installed at his Sprucedale Crescent home and in his car.
He also tried to kill himself in May 2018 and ended up in hospital.
By the summer of 2018, Udo and his wife of 40 years were in the process of separating.
The agreed statement of facts goes on to say Udo decided to kill himself and Edra.
On Aug. 22, 2018, he used a rope to strangle Edra sometime around 5:30 a.m.
Udo Haan also opened a drop line in the basement so the home began to fill with natural gas, which the Ontario Fire Marshall later determined would have caused the explosion.
Haan also poured gasoline on Edra’s bed and used a lighter to ignite it.
Court heard from a psychiatrist who assessed Udo in December 2019 at the request of the defense.
Dr. Giovana Valadares de Armorin Levin stated that Udo described how he was feeling before the explosion, saying he was exhausted, frightened, on alert and waiting to be killed. Adding, that there was no place where he felt safe.
“In my opinion, Mr. Haan was extremely tormented in his beliefs,” Dr. Levin told the court. “Had Mr. Haan not been in a highly psychotic state, in my opinion, he would never have engaged in the offending behaviour.”
On Thursday, another psychiatrist who examined Udo Haan will take the stand on behalf of the prosecution as the hearing continues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.