The Canadian Press
CALGARY—A trial was to begin today for a man charged after five young people were stabbed at a party where they were celebrating the end of the university school year.
Matthew de Grood, 24, faces five counts of first-degree murder in what police have said is Calgary’s worst mass killing.
He’s been in custody since shortly after the attack on April 15, 2014.
Officers who were called to a home in the city’s northwest discovered three men already dead.
A fourth man found stabbed on the front lawn and a wounded woman inside the house died in hospital.
The trial is being heard by an out-of-town judge at the request of both the prosecution and defence because de Grood’s father is a high-ranking city police officer and could be called to testify.
A psychiatric review determined de Grood was fit to stand trial because he understands the charges against him and is able to communicate with his lawyer.
He has been undergoing treatment at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre since his arrest.
Allan Fay, who represents de Grood, hasn’t ruled out a defence of not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder.
Police have revealed de Grood was invited to the party and mingled with guests before the stabbings.
