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
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NASA hears from Voyager 1, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, after months of quiet
NASA has finally heard back from Voyager 1 again in a way that makes sense. The most distant spacecraft from Earth hadn't sent home any understandable data since last November.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.