Calgary mass killer Matthew de Grood seeks 'absolute discharge'
The man who was found not criminally responsible in the stabbing deaths of five people at a house party in Brentwood more than nine years ago is seeking more freedoms.
Matthew de Grood has applied to the Alberta Court of Appeal for an absolute discharge.
According to the Government of Canada, that means the court would find him discharged of the offences with no conviction registered.
"Conditional or absolute discharges may only be ordered for less serious offences," the justice department said.
De Grood was arrested on April 15, 2014, in connection with the fatal stabbings of Joshua Hunter, Kaiti Perras, Jordan Segura, Lawrence Hong and Zackariah Rathwell.
He was found not criminally responsible on May 25, 2016, after it was determined he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the killings.
Since then, he's been held under supervision and his case has been reviewed on an annual basis by the Alberta Review Board (ARB).
This most recent appeal comes from a request from de Grood's lawyer last year, who requested the ARB's most recent decision that stated he must remain detained at either Edmonton's Alberta Hospital or the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre in Calgary.
De Grood's lawyer, Jacqueline Petrie, contended the decision was unreasonable because of "procedural unfairness" and a "reasonable apprehension of bias."
Matthew de Grood, appearing in Calgary court on April 22, 2014, is shown in this artist's sketch. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Janice Fletcher)
Speaking outside of the court in Edmonton, some family members say this latest appeal in addition to the ARB review has left them feeling re-traumatized and overlooked.
"He's not happy where he is, but that's too bad. He killed five people," said Barclay Hunter.
"We're not happy where our kids are either," said Kelly Hunter.
"We have no healing. Because we do this every year."
"Nobody ever thinks about the families. Like, I've been stressed about this for days," said Patty Segura.
Segura says the nine years since April 2014 have felt focused on de Grood.
"Nobody ever asks us in the courtroom about our stress level. Nobody ever asks us about that."
If granted, the discharge would have no conditions.
Some criminal justice experts say developments toward freedoms and privileges can be a reminder of the tension between victims and offenders, also noting de Grood's matter is being dealt with outside the criminal justice system, because of his status as not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder.
"The question then becomes about victims' rights versus offender rights, versus public rights, versus the rights in the criminal justice system," said Doug King, justice studies professor at Mount Royal University.
He says Canada's corrections system has been designed to serve as a rehabilitation tool.
King says there is research to demonstrate that a staged reintegration into society, via methods like day parole, has provided evidence of more successful outcomes and increased public safety.
"Punishment does not necessarily deter. More severe punishment actually creates a greater risk of reoffending," said King.
Of de Grood, King says more transparency from officials about processes within review board hearings, parole and corrections can help improve public understanding of how these systems are intended to benefit society.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.