A woman accused of an unprovoked stabbing at a downtown drug store has a master's degree and an "impressive" resume, her lawyer said outside a Toronto courthouse, arguing that his client should be granted bail at a future hearing.
Rohinie Bisesar, 40, is facing charges in connection with what police are calling an unprovoked stabbing.
The stabbing occurred on Friday afternoon at a Shoppers Drug Mart, located underground at 66 Wellington St., near Bay Street. The store is part of Toronto's PATH, an underground pedestrian walkway linking 30 kilometres of stores.
Investigators said the woman went into the store and stabbed another woman, "without provocation."
Bisesar has been charged with attempted murder. She has also been charged with aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon.
Bisesar's lawyer Calvin Barry, who was retained by his client last night, said the woman has an "impressive resume," including a Master of Business Administration. He said she has lots of friends who said the allegations are not in her character.
"People have commented that they're shocked and taken aback by this, and this is not her demeanour," Barry told reporters as he left a court appearance Wednesday.
He said he hasn't had much time to get to know his client, but that she seemed upset by the attention from the media.
"She's been basically a deer in the headlights because it's all happening so quickly."
However, he said police have told him that she's co-operating with their investigation.
Bisesar is expected to return to court on Friday, after police and the Crown have had time to gather evidence.
He said the Crown will contest grounds for bail, arguing that his client may flee the jurisdiction or commit further offences. The Crown will also argue that she shouldn't be released because the allegations "are just so horrific," he said.
Barry said he will argue that his client should be granted bail, with a series of conditions to protect the public and to ensure that she returns to court. He said she has no prior criminal record or outstanding charges.
"We'll have to take it one step at a time and we'll have a lot more information...on Friday when we return," he said.
Barry was also asked about an email sent to the National Post on Tuesday, just minutes before Bisesar was arrested, but he said he couldn't comment.
"Something has been happening to me and this is not my normal self," someone wrote from an email address matching Bisesar's name.
"I would like to know who and why this is happening. There is either a single person or more responsible and who and why would be nice to know."
The email sender also wrote: "I am sorry about the incidence. I felt the need to be extreme to see if it would work. I would normally not do such a thing."
The victim of the stabbing is still in hospital in "grave condition," police said.
