‘A recurring nightmare for our families’
JUDGE FINDS MATTHEW DE GROOD NOT CRIMINALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF FIVE YOUNG CALGARIANS AT A HOUSE PARTY
When Matthew de Grood killed five young Calgarians at a house party he did not know he was doing wrong because of a mental disorder, a judge found Wednesday.
In determining de Grood, 24, was not criminally responsible, Justice Eric Macklin accepted the opinions of three experts that the admitted killer was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the slayings.
“I find on a balance of probabilities that at the time he caused their deaths, Matthew de Grood was suffering from a mental disorder that rendered him incapable of appreciating or knowing that his actions were wrong,” Macklin said.
“I find that Matthew de Grood committed the acts that resulted in the deaths of these five individuals, but he is not criminally responsible for those deaths on account of mental disorder.”
Doctors testified de Grood was suffering psychotic delusions that led him to believe an end of the world war was taking place and his victims were part of the other side.
The trial heard de Grood became withdrawn about a month before the attack and started posting about religion, vampires and Darth Vader on Facebook.
He had been charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the April 15, 2014, deaths of Jordan Segura, Lawrence Hong, Kaiti Perras, Joshua Hunter and Zackariah Rathwell.
After the ruling, defence counsel Allan Fay was permitted to read a statement from his client.
“I realize that through my illness I have done something horrible and ultimately wrong,” de Grood wrote.
“I take responsibility for these deaths and I acknowledge the immense suffering I have caused,” he said.
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims.”
He added, “I cannot apologize enough for your losses and I deeply regret that your loved ones aren’t with you anymore.
“I am sorry from the bottom of my heart.”
De Grood also pledged to “take responsibility for my illness so nothing like this ever occurs again.”
“I will control it faithfully taking my medication and managing potential stressors.
“I will follow doctor’s orders for the rest of my life.”
Outside court, Hong’s younger brother, Miles, read a prepared statement on behalf of the families of the five victims.
“The end of this trial is not the end of this journey for us, we continue to be broken,” Miles Hong said.
“The finding of NCR will be a recurring nightmare for our families.
“We ask that everyone remember the names: Zackariah Rathwell, Jordan Segura, Kaiti Perras, Lawrence Hong and Josh Hunter.
“We can all cherish their legacy by reminiscing moments together, living out their values and supporting others through the scholarships and foundations created in their memory.”
Perras’ father, Greg, also addressed the media, explaining the ruling doesn’t end the case for the families.
“It’s not over, this isn’t the end,” he said.
“We — these families — all have a life sentence now, and our life sentence is to, every year, to go to the mental health review board and try to make sure that this dangerous offender never gets out and has a chance to hurt anyone else in the future,” he said.
“There’s no cure for schizophrenia, there’s only controlling the impulses and the delusions with medication.”
De Grood’s father, Doug, a senior member of the Calgary Police Service also spoke following Macklin’s ruling. “We accept the decision of the court, we will continue to walk by our son’s side as together we travel the long and painful road ahead of us,” he said.