Suspect in stabbing deaths of Calgary young people to appear in court

By The Canadian Press

CALGARY – A man accused in Calgary’s worst mass murder is scheduled to appear in court today after months in custody.

Matthew de Grood was arrested in April and charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of five young people at an end-of-school house party near the University of Calgary campus.

De Grood, who is 22, is to appear in court to give his election and plea.

A psychiatric review determined that de Grood is fit to stand trial because he understands the charges against him and is able to communicate with his lawyer.

The accused, the son of a senior Calgary police officer, has been in psychiatric care since his arrest.

His lawyer has not ruled out a defence that de Grood was not criminally responsible.

Police have not said what they think motivated the attack, but say de Grood was invited to the party April 15 and mingled with guests before violence broke out.

Zackariah Rathwell, 21; Lawrence Hong, 27; Joshua Hunter, 23; Jordan Segura, 22; and Kaiti Perras, 23 were slain.

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