More psychiatric testing for man accused of killing his parents and girlfriend
Murder suspect Dustin Duthie, who is charged with the separate killings of his girlfriend and parents, will undergo a 30-day assessment to determine if he qualifies for a finding of not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder.
Provincial court Judge Allan Fradsham on Wednesday granted an application by defence lawyer Rebecca Snukal to send Duthie for further psychiatric testing.
Crown prosecutor Shane Parker did not oppose the application.
Duthie, 25, faces three charges of second-degree murder in the July deaths of his girlfriend Taylor Toller, his mother Shawn Boshuck, and stepfather Alan Pennylegion.
The bodies of all three were found at two locations in Calgary on July 31.
It’s alleged Toller was killed July 25 at a residence in the 2000 block of Applevillage Court S.E., while Boshuck and Pennylegion were slain the day their bodies were found in their home in the 10100 block of Hidden Valley Drive N.W.
Snukal told court that doctors have already found Duthie fit to stand trial, but she wishes further testing to determine his mental state at the time of the killings.
Snukal asked Fradsham to recommend Duthie be assessed by Dr. David Tano at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.
She said the doctor has some familiarity with her client already.
“He is technically not the assigned psychiatrist,” Snukal said.
But she said SAFPC director Dr. Ken Hashman said a court recommendation for a specific doctor would be considered in the assessment.
Under the Criminal Code, a person is fit if they understand the charges and can instruct counsel.
But if a mental disease at the time of the alleged offence impaired their contact with reality to the point they could not tell right from wrong, a finding of not criminally responsible can be made.
Duthie returns to court Nov. 16.