De Grood Deemed fit to Stand Trial
Matthew de Grood accused of committing the mass stabbings resulting in the death or 5 University of Calgary students deemed fit to face court
By Kaity Brown
Matthew de Grood, 22, has been deemed fit to face trial as said in court on May 22, after undergoing a 30-day psychological assessment at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.
He faces five charges of murder of the first degree on April 15th, at a house party on Bermuda Shorts Day, a University of Calgary end of class tradition.
Judge Bob Wilkins noted a document submitted by a doctor from the SAFPC.
“It indicates that Mr. de Grood is fit to stand trial,” Wilkins said on May 22.
However, de Grood’s attorney, Allan Fay, urged the court for more time for evaluation, stating that de Grood will continue to undergo psychological evaluation despite the note from doctors.
Fay stated the de Grood would continue to be housed at the psychological centre due to ongoing mental health challenges. He stated in court that Dr. Smith had recommended that he continue to stay at the SAFPC.
“He remains there until it’s determined his mental health no longer requires it,” Fay said at the hearing. “The doctors have determined he needs ongoing treatment.”
Until the doctors at the SAFPC have cleared for de Grood to be sent to the Calgary Remand Centre, he will be housed at the SAFPC.
The loss of four men Zackariah Rathwell, 21, Lawrence Hong, 27, Joshua Hunter, 23, Jordan Segura, 22, and a woman Kaiti Perras, 23, were remembered at the University of Calgary and at Mount Royal University were students and members of the community gathered.
Mount Royal University mourned the loss of the 5 students on April 17.
“They were five bright young lives. The message here today is these were individuals that were future dancers, doctors and lawyers who had all kinds of songs and stories to tell,” said MRU President David Docherty.
Based on the hearing on Thursday May 22, Judge Bob Wilkins will postpone de Grood’s return to court until July 22.
It has not yet been determined whether de Grood will have a preliminary inquiry upon his return to court or whether he will go directly to trial.
