A Fredericton judge ruled on Friday that Gregory Despres, who is accused in the stabbing death of an elderly New Brunswick couple, is not fit to stand trial due to mental illness.
Justice Judy Clendening of the N.B. Court of Queen's Bench found Despres, 24, unfit to take part in court proceedings after two psychiatrists, one testifying for the defence and one for the prosecution, found he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.
Family members let out a collective groan on Friday as the decision was read in the courtroom.
"There has been absolutely no justice here whatsoever and I don't think there ever will be," Michael Richardson, the nephew of the victims, said outside the courthouse.
"We'll never get what Freddy and Verna want. I mean we want them to rest in peace and I think maybe it's time that we are going to have to turn the page because the justice system isn't going to come through for us."
Family members yelled as Despres as he left the courthouse on his way to the psychiatric unit of the Dorchester penitentiary, where he could potentially spend the rest of his life.
The trial was stopped in February after Despres delivered a 10-minute courtroom rant about al Qaeda, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and an organization he called the "super space patrol."
Friday's ruling followed a special hearing earlier this week.
Despres' lawyer was happy with the decision and said it proves the justice system works.
"I think justice was done, that's a hallmark of our system. People who are unable to understand court processes, who are unable to relate to the facts of the offence, so as to prepare a defence, should not be forced to stand trial," defence lawyer Ed Derrah said outside the courthouse.
While the psychiatrist for the defence said Despres was unfit to continue with his trial, the prosecution's psychiatrist maintained he was able.
In her ruling, Clendening said Despres' ability to understand was "adversely impacted by his current psychosis."
A court appointed review board will convene sometime within the next 90 days to review Despres' case.
If his mental condition improves, the review board has the authority to order a new trial.
According to Despres' lawyer, that decision could take place within the next 10 months or the next 10 years.
Despres has been on trial since early January for the double murder of 74-year-old Fred Fulton and his 70-year-old wife, Verna Decarie, who were found dead in their Minto, N.B., home on April 25, 2005.
Both were repeatedly stabbed and Fulton was decapitated, his severed head later discovered in a pillowcase under the kitchen table.
With a report by CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell and files from The Canadian Press
