Calgary man accused of killing girlfriend, mother and stepfather to undergo NCR assessment

UPDATE: Doctors have requested further time to complete theirpsychiatric assessmentonDustin Duthie. Hewill be back in court Dec. 6.

The lawyer for an accused triple murderer has asked the Calgary court to order a psychiatric assessment to determine whether he was criminally responsible at the time of the killings.

Dustin Duthie is charged with three counts of second-degree murder. Police allege he killed girlfriendTaylor Tollerin July and then his mother, Shawn Boshuck, and stepfather, Alan Pennylegion, a week later.

There have been serious concerns for Duthie's mental health since his arrest, which took placeminutes after he called 911 on July 31 to report thedeaths.

On Wednesday, provincial courtJudgeAllanFradshamgranted defence lawyer RebeccaSnukal'srequest for the assessment, which was unopposed by prosecutor Shane Parker.

• Family of Taylor Toller, allegedly killed by boyfriend, says she was 'admired and loved'

When officers responded to Duthie's 911 call, they discovered the bodies of Toller at her southeast apartment in Applewood Park and his mother and stepfather at their Hidden Valley home in northwest Calgary.

Duthie has been kept at the Southern Alberta Forensic PsychiatryHospitala secure mental health facility and will continue to stay there as doctors complete this latestassessment.

In August, Duthie was found mentally fit to stand trial after being examined by a forensic psychiatrist. That means he understands the charges against him and is capable of instructing hislawyer.

If he is found to have been suffering psychosis at the time of the slayings, Duthie could be found not criminally responsible (NCR), meaning he would continue to live and be treated at the forensic psychiatry hospital.

The nextcourt appearance is scheduled for Nov. 16.

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