[bloodrayne]

Despres Unfit To Stand Trial For Decapitation Murders

Canada - Gregory Allan Despres has been declared unfit to continue standing trial for the horrific killings of an elderly New Brunswick couple, ending one of the most sensational murder trials in the province's history.

Justice Judy Clendening of Court of Queen's Bench said yesterday that Despres suffers from such severe psychiatric disturbance, he is unable to fully understand court procedures and engage in his defence.

She ordered him remanded to the Shepody Healing Centre, a psychiatric facility at Dorchester Penitentiary in southern New Brunswick. He will be held indefinitely until such time as he is deemed fit to stand trial - something that could happen within weeks, months, years or perhaps never.

"This trial is over," said Ed Derrah, lawyer for Despres. "A new trial will start at such time as he is found fit to stand trial.

"I think justice was done. It's a hallmark of our system that people who are unable to understand court processes, or relate to the facts of the offence so as to prepare a defence, should not be forced to stand trial."

There was a loud gasp of disappointment from the victims' relatives as the judge read her decision.

Despres is accused of killing 74-year-old Fred Fulton and his 70-year-old wife, Verna Decarie at their home in Minto, N.B., on April 25, 2005.

Both were repeatedly stabbed and Fulton was decapitated. His severed head was found later in a pillowcase under the kitchen table.

Distraught relatives of the victims yelled insults at the slightly built, wild-eyed Despres, who is 24, as he was led away.

"When you take him to Shepody, drive him through Minto," one relative yelled at authorities. "We'll take care of him."

Outside the court, relatives gathered behind family spokesman, Mike Richardson, who expressed their collective disappointment with the justice system.

"When is he going to become fit? Twenty years down the road?" an exasperated Richardson told news reporters.

"We want justice here. We want justice."

The trial was stopped in February after Despres delivered a 10-minute courtroom rant.