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Matthew de Grood’s psychiatric assessment could be placed under publication ban

A sketch of Matthew de Grood, appearing in a Calgary court on Tuesday April 22, 2014, by artist Janice Fletcher, is shown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Janice Fletcher

CALGARY – The psychiatric assessment of a young man charged in Calgary’s worst mass murder could be placed under a publication ban.

Matthew de Grood, 22, is charged with five counts of first-degree murder after a violent stabbing spree at a house party on Tuesday, April 15th.

Zackariah Rathwell, 21, Jordan Segura, 22, Josh Hunter, 23, Kaitlin Perras, 23, and Lawrence Hong, 27, were celebrating the end of the school year when they were killed.

READ MORE: High Hopes concert held in honour of Brentwood murder victims

De Grood has already been found fit to stand trial, but the Crown requested he undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he can be held criminally responsible for the murders.

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The psychiatric evaluation is now complete.

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On Friday, De Grood’s parents appeared in court for the first time, watching as their 22-year-old son appeared via CCTV.

Both the Crown and the defence asked that details of De Grood’s assessment be kept from the public, fearing it could prejudice a jury before the trial.

A hearing to decide if there will be a publication ban will be held on March 10th.

Meanwhile, a preliminary inquiry has been scheduled for March 2nd – 13th, 2015.

WATCH RAW VIDEO: Lawyers in Matthew de Grood case speak about the latest developments

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