The man being charged with second-degree murder in the death of another man at the Edmonton Corn Maze earlier this week has a history of substance abuse, mental illness and violence according to records.
On Tuesday, RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at approximately 7 p.m. at the corn maze just west of the city.
A 53-year-old man, Joseph Farnsworth was found dead inside the attraction.
Mounties arrested Michael George Ferzli, 41, on scene and charged him with second-degree murder.
The men were known to each other according to police. It was revealed earlier this week that both men involved were connected to Alberta Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Edmontons northeast.
As per court documents that pertain to a decision handed down by the Alberta Court of Appeal in 2020, Ferzli had been charged for aggravated assault against his brother in 2008 and was found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.
This marked the onset of schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms manifesting according to the appeal court.
In 2018, Ferzeli faced multiple assault related charges after he assaulted an elderly patient and a security officer in an Edmonton Hospital.
He was found not to be criminally responsible for those charges the following year.
Ferzeli was deemed to be a significant threat to the safety of the public also noting that he was a high risk for future violence at that time.
The Edmonton Corn Maze is scheduled to re-open today after closing it’s doors since the incident.
Ferzeli remains in custody and is set to appear in a Strony PLain court toom on September 4.
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