September 9,2025
RED FM News Desk
The man accused of stabbing three people at a 2023 Light Up festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown took the stand at his trial, describing how he found religion.
Blair Donnelly, 66, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of aggravated assault at B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. He told the court that he was once a drug dealer, alcoholic and “partygoer” before making a deal with God: if given a wife and family, he would devote his life to faith. Donnelly said he turned to religion at age 22, which he claims transformed his life.
During the trial, now in its second day, Donnelly has been seen carrying a Bible. Before testifying, however, he affirmed he would tell the truth instead of swearing on the book, later citing a verse about oath swearing.
At the time of the 2023 attack, Donnelly was on unescorted leave from the B.C. Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam. His lawyer, Glen Orris, acknowledged in opening statements that Donnelly carried out the stabbings, but said his client’s mental state will be central to the case.
Orris told the court that Donnelly has been formally diagnosed with “bipolar disorder, atypical type” and has lived at the psychiatric hospital since 2008, after being found not criminally responsible for the killing of his daughter. He argued that while Donnelly knew his actions at the festival were against the law, he believed he was following instructions from God.
The Crown wrapped up its case on Monday, presenting surveillance video that it said shows Donnelly’s movements on the day of the attack, including buying a chisel from Home Depot, travelling to Chinatown, and stabbing two women and a man at the festival.
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