ABOVE: Accused mass murder Matthew de Grood’s preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin. Sarah Offin reports.
CALGARY – The preliminary hearing for the man accused in Calgary’s worst mass murder began on Monday.
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, 2014.
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.
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The preliminary hearing is scheduled to run until March 6th, 2015, but media are not allowed to report on any details revealed during the proceedings.
De Grood appeared in court in person on Monday, wearing a blue shirt and black sport coat. His parents were also in attendance.
The Crown will call a total of 13 witnesess during the preliminary hearing. At its conclusion, a judge will be tasked with deciding if there is enough evidence to hold a trial.
Monday’s proceedings were emotional for those who packed the downtown Calgary courtroom, with many crying and sharing tissues.
“They’re very upset obviously,” said Crown prosecutor Neil Wiberg of the victims’ families. “Five outstanding young people were murdered, and I’m sure this brings back horrible memories.”
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Allan Fay says it’s also been a difficult week for the accused.
“He’s been undergoing treatment since the arrest,” explained Fay. “Obviously he’s very anxious about this. Reliving the event, obviously, is very, very difficult for him and wants to… try and bring this matter to a close.”
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De Grood has already been found fit to stand trial, and has also undergone a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he can be held criminally responsible for the murders. However, the details of the evaluation have not been released.
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.
– With files from Sarah Offin and Nancy Hixt
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