A forensic psychiatrist appointed by the court has stated that the young girl who admitted to killing 15-year-old Reese Stanzel near Perth, Ont., two years ago has a low chance of reoffending.
The teenager was 16 when she took Stanzel’s life in October 2024. In November 2025, she pled guilty to first-degree murder. Her identity is kept confidential under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Dr. Bradley Booth testified on Monday, which was the last day of the teen’s sentencing hearing at the Perth Courthouse.
Booth prepared a Section 34 assessment, a court-ordered evaluation intended to assist the judge in determining an appropriate sentence for a young person and evaluating their risk of future offenses.
He explained that his report was based on a five-and-a-half hour interview with the teen, as well as her school, medical, and other relevant records, an agreed statement of facts, and a pre-sentencing report.
Booth diagnosed the teen with nine mental health disorders including dysthymia, which he described as significant depressive episodes combined with low self-esteem and sleep issues, along with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from both childhood trauma and the murder itself.
He informed the court that she experienced physical and verbal abuse at home and has struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts in her past.
Booth also identified traits linked to narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder such as emotional instability, impulsiveness, and an inconsistent self-image.
Despite these findings, Booth testified that the teen scored low on a psychopathy assessment and did not meet its criteria. He noted that there had been no history of physical aggression before the murder occurred.
Booth mentioned that he believes the teen felt justified in harming Stanzel at that moment but has since expressed remorse for her actions. His overall conclusion was that she poses a low risk of reoffending.
Stanzel’s body was discovered in a wooded area near Perth in October 2024. The accused faced initial charges of second-degree murder before it was elevated to first-degree murder, which she later confessed to committing.
The final sentencing is set for late July.
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