Accused in Edmonton Corn Maze killing had violent past: Court documents

The suspect accused of killing a man at a corn maze west of Edmonton earlier this week has a violent past, according to court documents.

The documents obtained by CityNews suggest 41-year-old Michael George Ferzli has twice been found not criminally responsible for two separate violent assaults.

RCMP were called to Edmonton Corn Maze on Highway 627 near Spruce Grove around 7 p.m. Tuesday and found a 53-year-old man dead. The suspect, Ferzli, remained at the scene and was taken into custody.

The court documents show Ferzli, who suffers from schizophrenia and substance abuse issues, was charged in 2008 with aggravated assault on his brother and possession of weapon, but found not criminal responsible due to his mental illness.

Ferzli was again charged with violent assault and two counts of assault for an attack on an elderly patient and a security guard at an Edmonton area hospital in 2018, but was again found not criminally responsible.

Documents from the Alberta Review Board show that he was granted release in 2023 under a number of conditions, including continued mental health supports and abstaining from drugs an alcohol — as well as living in approved housing.

The board found Ferzli was a significant threat to public safety if not closely monitored.

Alberta Justice also confirmed to CityNews the victim at the corn maze, Joseph Farnsworth, has been under the Alberta Review Board since 2008 when he was charged with counts of assault against his girlfriend, but was found not criminally responsible due to schizophrenia.

A 2023 Alberta Review Board document shows Farnsworth was released from an Alberta hospital under a number of conditions, including staying at approved housing.

RCMP say the victim and suspect knew each other but no agency has been able to confirm why the two were at the corn maze that night.