Nicholas Robert Coulombe is escorted into Halifax provincial court Monday to face nine charges, including one count of attempted murder, from an attack on employees in the Halifax Infirmary emergency department last Jan. 29. Photo by Steve BruceArticle contentA man accused of stabbing two Halifax Infirmary staff members and injuring two others during an incident at the hospital last January has elected to be tried in Nova Scotia Supreme Court by a judge and jury.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentNicholas Robert Coulombe, 32, of Halifax is charged with one count of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of assault with a weapon, and two counts of possession of a weapon (a knife) for a dangerous purpose.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentCoulombe made the election Monday, when he appeared in Halifax provincial court with Nova Scotia Legal Aid lawyers Cameron MacKeen and Colin Smith.Article contentMacKeen told the court that counsel had not received instructions from Coulombe on where he wants his trial to take place.Article contentJudge Alonzo Wright then spoke to Coulombe directly to confirm his election.Article contentThe attempted murder and aggravated assault charges are eligible for a preliminary inquiry in provincial court. The judge booked that hearing for the afternoons of Jan. 28 and Jan. 30, 2026.Article contentA preliminary inquiry determines if there is sufficient evidence for charges to be sent on to Supreme Court for trial. It’s also an opportunity for an accused to assess the strength of the Crown’s case.Article contentA patient with a knife attacked four employees in the hospital’s emergency department Jan. 29 at about 1 p.m. One victim sustained “significant injuries,” Halifax Regional Police said.Article contentArticle contentOfficers arrested the suspect on scene at about 1:10 p.m.Article contentThe department was closed to all but critical emergencies and traumas for about five hours while investigators processed the crime scene.Article contentIn court documents, police allege a metal stool and a plastic rat were also used as weapons in the assaults.Article contentA doctor was among the victims, the documents show.Article contentTwo of the victims are members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union. The day after the assaults, NSGEU president Sandra Mullen said the union had been lobbying for increased security and safety measures at hospitals for a long time.Article contentExtra security was subsequently hired for the emergency department after the incident. A walk-through metal detector was installed in February, and visitors are now issued passes that must be visible at all times.Article contentOn Monday, Coulombe pleaded guilty to a charge of property mischief from an incident at a bus shelter in Halifax on Dec. 16, 2023.Article contentHe also pleaded guilty to charges of uttering threats and causing a disturbance from an event at a Starbucks coffee shop on Spring Garden Road in Halifax last Jan. 26. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault from that same incident.Article contentCoulombe remains in custody at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth. He told the judge Monday he would like to apply for bail.Article content
Accused in Halifax hospital stabbings elects to have jury trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court
