MONCTON, N.B. – The case of a New Brunswick man accused of fatally gunning down three RCMP officers and wounding two others in Moncton returns to court today.
Justin Bourque has not yet entered pleas on three charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
The 24-year-old was found competent and mentally fit for trial after recently undergoing a psychiatric assessment.
The assessment’s conclusions were read into the court record during Bourque’s appearance last week in Moncton provincial court.
READ MORE: Suspect in deadly Moncton RCMP shootings found ‘fit to stand trial’
However, Judge Irwin Lampert agreed to keep the rest of the document sealed at the request of the defence, which argued releasing the contents would hamper Bourque’s ability to receive a fair trial.
Bourque has elected to be tried by judge and jury before the Court of Queen’s Bench, and has waived his right to a preliminary inquiry.
Constables Dave Ross, Fabrice Gevaudan and Douglas Larche were killed after responding to a report of a man with firearms in a residential neighbourhood in the northwest area of Moncton on June 4.
READ MORE: RCMP officers injured in Moncton shootings write letters of thanks
Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded and later released from hospital.
Bourque was arrested following a manhunt that spanned 30 hours and brought the city of 69,000 to a virtual standstill.
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