The man accused of stabbing five people at a house party in northwest Calgary has been declared fit to stand trial.

Matthew de Grood, charged with five counts of first degree murder, appeared before a judge via closed circuit television on Thursday morning

At his last court appearance, de Grood was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine his mental state to see if he is fit to stand trial for the murders of Jordan Segura, Josh Hunter, Kaiti Perras, Zackariah Rathwell, and Lawrence Hong.

All five victims were stabbed to death on April 15.

At his hearing, de Grood was found fit to stand trial for the murders.

De Grood's lawyer, Allan Fay, says that his office received a report from Dr. Riley Smith at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre confirming his client was fit to stand trial.

Fay, however, says that that doesn't necessarily mean de Grood is not suffering from mental illness.

"Being fit to stand trial only means that he understands the process and can instruct counsel. You can still be very profoundly mentally ill and still be fit to stand trial."

De Grood is the son of a long serving member of the Calgary Police Service, Inspector Doug de Grood.

Fay says that his client has been able to speak with his parents and can have regular visits from them. He also said that de Grood is doing 'as well as can be expected'.

"He is obviously worried and apprehensive about what is happening and what will happen but, other than that, he seems as good as he can be."

Following his first appearance, Fay said that the trial is likely to be a difficult one.

"Any homicide is difficult. A homicide that's magnified is going to be very difficult. I can only anticipate, not only from a logistical point of view, but also the emotional toll it's going to take on everyone involved. It's a horrendous case and it's touched so many lives. It's going to be tough, absolutely."

De Grood's lawyer now has two months to review the disclosure of evidence from police while de Grood continues to receive treatment at the Forensic Psychiatry Centre.

De Grood is expected back in court on July 22.

Neil Wiberg, the Crown prosecutor assigned to the case, says that de Grood's next hearing in all likelihood could set a date for a preliminary hearing.

There is no information on the potential for bail.