Suspect in machete attack is son of Calgary police officer, judge told as psych assessment ordered

The man accused of attacking randomstrangers in Calgary's downtown core Friday morning is the son of a police officer, CBC News has learned.

Connor Dery, 25, appeared in court Monday morningon charges of aggravated assault and carrying a concealed weapon.

The Calgary Police Service (CPS)confirmed the connection between officer and theaccused and said the officer helpedfacilitate his son's arrest once he saw CCTV images of the suspect.

Dery's lawyer, Adriano Iovinelli, raised concerns that his client wasbeing heldin general population at the CalgaryRemand Centre (CRC),where inmates often have negative feelings about anyone with police connections.

Iovinellihad officers from the CRC join the video conference so they could be made aware of the situation.

The supervisor of the CRC agreed to allow Dery to be moved to address the safety concerns.

• Suspect charged in 1 of a series of violent attacks in downtown Calgary

Dery on guardianship order

As a child, Dery suffered a brain injury and has been under a guardianship order, according to Iovinelli, who asked the court matter be put over to Wednesday so his client can undergo a psychiatric assessment.

An Edmonton-based prosecutor is expected to handle the case because of the potential conflict, given that Dery's father has had contact with members of Calgary's court system in his capacity as a police officer.

The attacks, in the early morning hours on Friday, landed three people in hospital.

Calgary police responded to a call to theFourth Street LRT station around 3:15 a.m. Friday when a man reported he'd been knocked unconscious and slashed with a machete.

That victim was expected to be released from hospital over the weekend.

Thirty minutes later, a second victim was found in life-threateningcondition, unconscious in a bus shelter at Sixth Avenue and First Street S.W.

He is expected to survive but remains in hospital.

A thirdvictim was attacked near the Peace Bridge and was taken to hospital withhand injuries. They have since been released.