Li's second degree murder trial began on March 3, 2009. Li pleaded not guilty.Canada.com: Details about beheading recounted in Winnipeg court (March 3, 2009) On March 5, 2009, the judge in the case ruled that Li was not criminally responsible because he suffered from a mental illness. Li will be sent to a mental health facility and will not serve prison time.National Post: Vincent Li Found Not Criminally responsible (March 5, 2009)

At the time of the killing, Li was described as a 40-year-old independent delivery man who lived in Edmonton and had been delivering papers, such as the Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun and National Post, for over a year.Edmonton Journal: Accused Beheader 'A Nice Guy' (August 2, 2008) His supervisor called him a "Nice Guy" and he had no criminal record.Edmonton Journal: Accused Beheader 'A Nice Guy' (August 2, 2008)

According to his employer, Vincent Augert, Li called him three weeks before the attack and told him that he had to go to Winnipeg for a job interview. After not hearing from him for a while, Augert called Li's home and spoke to a woman who claimed to be Li's wife. She told him that he had to leave town for an emergency, but couldn't say why. Augert said he thought that Li may have been having marital problems, based on a meeting he had with him in July.Edmonton Journal: Accused Beheader 'A Nice Guy' (August 2, 2008)