suspect in deadly boxing day crash fit to stand trial, court told after exam by psychiatrist
case now adjourned to feb. 4 so defence can receive and review crown materials
2 minute read
a memorial, seen on on december 28, 2024, installed at the location of a fatal collision on boxing day at southland drive and macleod trail. a nine-year-old girl was killed and several others injured after a robbery suspect drove at high speed through a red light at the intersection, colliding with several vehicles.
gavin young/postmedia
the suspect in a horrific boxing day crash that took the life of a nine-year-old calgary girl is fit to stand trial, court was told friday.
defence counsel sam taylor, appearing on behalf of lead lawyer rebecca snukal, said that duane arlen john nepoose was seen by a court psychiatrist before his case was called.
“after seeing the doctor, i understand that he is deemed fit,” taylor said after a brief conversation with dr. sheila acharya outside the courtroom.
on wednesday, taylor told court he had concerns about nepoose’s mental health, and asked that he be returned to docket court friday to be seen by a psychiatrist.
“he has requested to see the doctor,” taylor said at the time, in seeking the short adjournment.
“there are definitely concerns,” the lawyer said about nepoose’s mental health.
under the criminal code, a person who doesn’t understand the court proceedings and can’t instruct counsel because of a mental illness can’t be prosecuted until they are deemed to be fit.
taylor asked that nepoose’s case be adjourned to feb. 4, so they can receive and review crown materials.
“we’re still awaiting disclosure,” he told justice brandy shaw.
taylor asked that nepoose’s appearance in court be waived. after confirming with the court sheriff that nepoose was in custody in the building, shaw granted the application.
a gofundme page has been set up for the reitmeier-desjardins family. mother amanda and daughter madison, 12, are in hospital after being involved in a horrific five-vehicle collision in calgary on boxing day, while daughter victoria, 9, was killed in the crash.
via gofundme
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nepoose, 30, faces multiple charges in connection with a dec. 26 incident in south calgary that culminated with a five-vehicle pileup at the intersection of macleod trail and southland drive, which took the life of nine-year-old victoria desjardins.
he is charged with dangerous driving causing her death, as well as causing bodily harm to her mother and sister.
police alleged the crash occurred after a millrise drugstore was robbed and the assailant fled in the pharmacist’s 2015 dodge caravan.
at the time of the crash, nepoose was on release on charges of mischief to property, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of methamphetamine, as well as several charges of failing to appear in court.
following the crash, the victim’s family issued a statement through the calgary police service detailing the level of their grief.
“we are absolutely crushed by the loss of our daughter, victoria desjardins, who was tragically taken from us, just one day after christmas,” the reitmeier-desjardins family said in the statement.
to help the family with funeral expenses, a gofundme page has been set up by a family friend.
nepoose remains in custody.
first responders work at the scene of a fatal multi-vehicle collision on macleod trail at southland drive in calgary on thursday, dec. 26, 2024.
brent calver/postmedia
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