Woman who said Jesus would be her defence lawyer is fit to stand trial, B.C. judge rules

Scales of justice. (Shutterstock)

A woman who told a court-appointed expert that “Jesus Christ will be her lawyer” has been deemed fit to stand trial in a B.C. court.

Denise Angela Norris is charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, stemming from an incident last June in which she allegedly fired the weapon during an interaction with police in Agassiz, B.C., according to a recently published judgment.

Crown counsel asked a judge to declare Norris unfit to stand trial on account of a mental disorder—specifically, psychosis with religious delusions.

“Ms. Norris states only God has authority over her and God will be her redeemer. The Crown argues that because Ms. Norris does not recognize the authority of this court, she will not actively engage in the court process and will not participate in her defence because, in her view, there is no point,” Judge Kristen Mundstock’s decision said, summarizing the prosecution’s position.

Norris’ court-appointed lawyer opposed the application, meaning Crown bore the burden of proof. In support of its position, Crown submitted five reports from a forensic psychiatrist, portions of which are reproduced throughout the judgment.

“She said Jesus was her defence lawyer, he will be present at her hearing and she will take instructions from him,” the psychiatrist wrote.

“When questioned about how she communicated with Jesus, she said mentally and through prayers, while Jesus communicated to her two or three times per day by speaking to her. She said she could hear Jesus with her ears and has had visions of him,” the report continued.

The psychiatrist’s reports also noted Norris believed there was a difference between what she called “man-made” laws that fall under the jurisdiction of the B.C. courts and “God’s jurisdiction.”

It was this distinction, in large part, that led the judge to rule Norris was capable of understanding the proceedings, their seriousness, and the potential consequences of a conviction. Mundstock found the evidence in the psychiatrist’s reports and testimony showed Norris understood what a trial entailed—even if she did not believe the court was the ultimate authority on the matter.

“Ms. Norris understands the object of the court proceedings because she knows at the trial the judge may impose punishment, albeit temporarily as affects her physical being and not her eternal being,” the judge wrote.

“Ms. Norris just does not accept that what she refers to as the man-made legal system has authority over her. That belief is not inconsistent with an ability to communicate with the court and counsel,” the decision continued.

On the issue of Jesus acting as defence counsel, the judge found there was some ambiguity.

“Ms. Norris may believe that Jesus Christ will be her lawyer but it is unclear if she means she will represent herself with guidance from God or Jesus Christ or if Jesus Christ himself will be present in court,” Mundstock wrote.

The judge noted Morris’ beliefs might have an impact on the case and its outcome, but that she was not so “overwhelmed” by delusions that she would be incapable of meaningfully participating in her trial.

“Ms. Norris’s belief system may interfere with her ability to make the best decisions in conducting her defence, but that is not the standard upon which fitness is measured,” the judge wrote.

“Ms. Norris is entitled to make poor decisions if she chooses.”

The decision does not outline the particulars of the case against Norris other than to provide the date and location of the alleged offence and references in the psychiatric report to allegations she shot at police and that police shot her.

The date and location coincide with an incident that is being investigated by B.C.’s police watchdog, in which a woman was shot after an “interaction” with police and airlifted to hospital.

A spokesperson for the B.C. Prosecution Service said a date has not been set for trial, and Norris has not yet made a decision on whether to face a jury or a judge alone. Her next court appearance is set for Jan. 12, 2026, for a bail hearing.

Norris remains in custody.