Alzheimer's patient may be free Friday

A Winnipeg Regional Health Authority spokeswoman said Thursday that arrangements have been made to have Joe McLeod's health assessed. After a court hearingFriday morning, he could be released to an emergency-placement bedfound for him ata care home, the health authoritysaid.

McLeodhas been locked upin a medical ward at the Winnipeg Remand Centre since early September. Earlier Thursday, officials saidhe would likelyremain in jail at least until Oct. 25.

Manitoba Liberal Leader Dr. Jon Gerrard has demanded thatJustice Minister Andrew Swan launch an immediate investigation into why McLeodwas still sitting alone in a jail cell.

"I am utterly appalled that minister Swan has not called for the immediate release of this poor old man," said Gerrard in a news release. "The NDP have lost their moral compass."

McLeod was charged with assault after he reportedly became violent on Sept. 2, shoving his wife, Rose, to thegroundwhen he didn't recognize her. Rose McLeodcalled police because she wasn't sure what else to do.

She saidshethought she could get some assistance from officers butdidn't expect them to arrest her husband, who has been in custody ever since,even though shehas been tryingto get the chargesdropped.

Gerrard's news release said an official from theWRHA laid the blame on Rose McLeodon Wednesday, suggesting the onus should have been on her to seek home-care services.

So far, the government has not commented on the case, saying it is still before the courts.