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Former fugitive wanted in Winnipegger's death seeking not criminally responsible designation

Former fugitive wanted in Winnipegger's death seeking not criminally responsible designation

Randolf Enns, who skipped court to flee to Paraguay after a highway collision that killed a young Winnipeg athlete, is undergoing a psychiatric assessment to determine if he was not criminally responsible for his criminal charges.

In July 2013, Enns' semi-truck sped through two red lights and crossed the median, slamming into an oncoming truck near Headingley, Man.

Derek Bossuyt, 21, who had left a baseball game early that evening to go to work, was killed. Enns was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and resisting arrest in July 2013.

"He would have been the last person to see my son alive ... that's not fair," Karen Goodale said in an email.

The CBC tracked Enns down in Paraguay where he holds dual citizenship in 2015 after he failed to show up in court in October 2014.

"With the assistance of our RCMP liaison officer for the Paraguay region, information was received that Enns had made arrangements to fly to Canada on Nov. 10 to Toronto and then to Winnipeg from there," said Sgt. Paul Manaigre, of the Manitoba RCMP.

He could not confirm whether Enns had plans to turn himself in to police.

Enns was arrested when he arrived at the airport in Toronto and held in police custody until the following day under the strength of the Canada-wide warrant, said Manaigre.

RCMP officers from Manitoba's court liaison unit then flew to Toronto and escorted him back to Winnipeg to face his charges. He remains in police custody.

Monday was set to be the first day of his trial, and Bossuyt's family gathered in the courtroom to face Enns for the first time. Bossuyt's mother said she fought back tears and her mind was "racing" at the sight of him.

"It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that it's been four years… seems like yesterday. I felt a lot of hate towards him," she said.

On Monday, court heard that Enns' lawyer had requested the psychiatric assessment on Jan. 25.

"How can an evaluation now determine his state of mind back then? I think that would be very difficult," said Goodale.

On Monday, Judge Ryan Rolston granted an extension until April 3 to allow doctors to complete the assessment.

"I can appreciate that trying to do an assessment today for an incident that occurred back in 2013, it would be rather difficult," said Rolston.

"There would be a need for in-depth collateral information I think to try and do that assessment at this point in time," he added.

The trial dates are May 30, June 15 and July 21, though they depend on whether Enns is found mentally fit.

Goodale said in honour of her son, she refused to cry in front of Enns. She said she has faith in the Canadian legal system and is "relieved" Enns is in custody now.