Accused Fredericton shooter Matthew Raymond found fit to stand trial

The Fredericton man accused of killing four people, including two police officers, in August has been found fit to stand trial after undergoing a psychiatric assessment.

Matthew Vincent Raymond, 48, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the Aug. 10 shooting deaths of Fredericton police constables Robb Costello, 45, and Sara Burns, 43, and civilians Donnie Robichaud, 42, and Bobbi Lee Wright, 32.

Provincial court Judge Julian Dickson ruled Tuesday in Fredericton that Raymondis capable of going on trial.

The next step is a longer assessment to determine if he is criminally responsible, which would normally happen within 30 days of one being ordered by the court.

"What the Criminal Code says is an assessment to determine if a person is criminally responsible for their acts is supposed to take place within 30 days of the order," said defence lawyer Alison Mnard. "But there can be some exceptions or extensions to that under the code."

There is a publication ban on the details of the discussion around that assessment.

On Tuesday, Raymond stood, addressed the courtroom gallery and insisted he's innocent, his shackles should be removed and he should be set free.

Dickson ordered the psychiatric assessment on Nov. 21, granting the Crown's request that sat pending for almost a month as the judge had to first deal with Raymond's bid to dismiss his initial lawyer, Nathan Gorham.

Dickson eventually ordered that a new lawyer be appointed, and Mnard stepped in.

Police have said all four victims were hit by bullets from a long gun fired from the third storey of an apartment building on Brookside Drive on the city's north side.

Raymond has not yet entered any pleas or mode of trial.

He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 11.