The Justice Building on Queen Street in Fredericton. (Image: Brad Perry)
The man accused of killing four people in Fredericton last year is currently unfit to stand trial, a jury has found.
Matthew Vincent Raymond’s defence lawyer, Nathan Gorham, confirmed the jury results Friday.
Raymond is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Fredericton police constables Sara Burns and Robb Costello and civilians Bobbie Lee Wright and Donnie Robichaud.
The four were killed outside an apartment complex on Fredericton’s north side on Aug. 10, 2018.
Jury selection for Raymond’s fitness hearing began Monday at a hockey arena in the city.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, a person may be unfit to stand trial if a mental disorder leaves them unable to understand the nature of the proceedings, understand the possible consequences of the proceedings, or communicate with counsel.
Earlier this week, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Fred Ferguson said if Raymond was found unfit, an order would be issued for whatever treatment or supervision is needed for him to deal with his condition.
Ferguson said Raymond would stand trial on the murder charges once he is deemed fit.
Gorham said Friday the judge issued a 60-day treatment order for his client.
“Hopefully, by the end of that treatment order, his illness will be under control to the extent that he’ll be capable of having communication with counsel and understanding the nature and object of the proceeding,” Gorham said.
“This isn’t a long-term disposition, this is a temporary fix as it were in order to get him into a mental condition so he can participate in his trial fairly.”
Gorham said the case could proceed to trial as early as late winter or early spring if Raymond is deemed fit by then.
