Psychosis in remission for mentally ill man who killed five at Calgary house party
Abbotsford NewsSep 10, 2021
A mentally ill man who stabbed and killed five young people at a
He appeared at his annual
The review board is expected to release its decision in a few weeks.
The board heard that de Grood's psychosis is in full remission and there have been no problems with him taking his medications.
A psychiatrist treating him at
"There are some significant uncertainties," said Dr. Santoch Rai. "The treatment team has decided to resolve those uncertainties in favour of what we feel is a necessary consideration of the safety of the public."
Rai said the mental health warrant allows de Grood to be returned to the hospital immediately if he deteriorates and stops taking his medications.
"He can appear very well to the point where he can actually function in an employment setting in the morning and then in the evening to do something very serious," he said.
He has the "ability when he's illto inflict very serious harm on multiple people and do that very quickly."
De Grood's trial heard that he was a university student who went to the party being held to mark the end of the school year. He attacked others there believing the devil was talking to him and a war was about to begin that signalled the end of the world.
A judge ruled that he was delusional then and did not understand his actions were wrong.
Rai said de Grood could eventually be allowed more freedoms but "I think we're quite a long way away from that."
He also said it might be beneficial for de Grood to move back to
De Grood, wearing a mask, addressed the review board and said he's not asking for sympathy.
"I accept what I have done and I'm truly sorry. I just hope one day I will be seen as a person who is able to earn his way back into society. The weight of this tragedy bears heavily on my shoulders and has not lightened over time," he said.
"I carry the shame and guilt with me 24-7 and will forever. I want to make amends in any way I can. I'm committed to managing my illness."
Doug and
"Nothing prepared us for the increasing crusade of seeking a lifetime punishment for Matthew. We feel the need to remind those who seem to have forgotten that Matthew has already been through the trial and found to be (not criminally responsible)," they wrote.
"Yet some people feel the review board hearings every year should be treated like a quest for justice."
The board heard statements from the families of the victims. Many were frustrated and angry.
"This is the sixth victim impact statement I will be submitting since my son Joshua's life was taken by
"I get so sad at times I just can't seem to think of Josh without feeling sad about him not being here anymore. I miss him terribly."
"The truth is Kaiti didn't die. She was murdered and there's a huge difference between the two," she said.
"How do you articulate having Kaiti ripped from my life? She was my baby girl. She was part of who I am and now that is gone forever. It shatters me."
— Bill Graveland The