The man accused of killing a Calgary careworker in October has been found fit to stand trial.
Following a 30-day psychiatric evaluation, a judge ruled Friday that Brandon Newman will stand trial for the stabbing death of Deborah Onwu.
Friend Rebecca Opoku told CTV News the decision comes as a 'relief'.
"It gives us hope and from this point on, we are going to have to prepare ourselves for what is to come," said Opoku.
Newman, 18, is charged with second-degree murder in the Oct. 25 death of Onwu.
Officers were called to a Wood's Homes assisted living residence in the 1800 block of 27th Avenue S.W. about 2:45 a.m. and Onwu was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees has said Newman has a violent history and required two-on-one care for his complex health needs. It said another worker was at the home the night Onwu was killed, but was on a different floor dealing with another client.
Wood’s Homes, which operates mental-health facilities and programs for children and families throughout Alberta, has said it is conducting its own investigation and co-operating with police and the province’s Occupational Health and Safety unit.
