Gregory Despres to stay at Dorchester Penitentiary psychiatric facility
A New Brunswick review board has ruled thatGregory Despres, who was found not criminally responsible in the 2005 stabbing deaths of a Minto couple, will remain in a Dorchester Penitentiary psychiatric facility, at least for the next six to eight months.
Despres, of Minto, was found not criminally responsible for the gruesome killings of his neighbours Fred Fulton, 74, and Verna Decarie, 70. A judge ruled Despres was suffering from delusions stemming from paranoid schizophrenia.
He's been housed at the Shepody Healing Centre. His last review was in May 2013.
Friday's hearing included emotional statements from family members of the couple who talked about the toll the deaths have taken on them.
Sandra Martin, Verna Decarie's daughter, says coming to these hearings is difficult.
"But you have to remember two people were murdered here, taken away from us and I think that the system is just crazy."
Despres won't admit responsibility
Psychiatrist Louis Theriault told the hearing Despres should not be released into the community and needs to remain in a locked facility with continued treatment.
Despres was described as polite and responsible but has not admitted responsibility for what happened.
Earlier this year, there were reports the Shepody Healing Center was closing, but a spokesman for the centre said patients at Shepody would continue to be treated until March 31, 2016.
Despres spoke at the hearing to comment on a possible transfer to Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton.
"I look forward to going if you want to send me," he told the board.
There was discussion at the hearing about returning not criminally responsible (NCR) patients who require hospital-level care to provincial responsibility. People found not criminally responsible for their crimes are supposed to be transferred to provincial institutions by next spring,
Family members oppose transfer
Restigouche hospital is schedule to undergo security review. But the hospital expressed concern about meeting safety requirements in regard to patients like Despres.
Mary Kennedy-Fulton, Fred Fulton's daughter-in law, said her family opposes transferring Despres to a less secure facility.
"We have been advocating, for I don't know how long, for Despres not to move. We have until April of 2016, and then he may, in fact, be moving again? That's not acceptable."
Jean Trahan, who was acting as a lawyer for Despres at the hearing, said the situation is difficult for the man because of the uncertainty of where he will end up.
