Second psychiatrist testifies it’s her belief Matthew de Grood ‘not criminally responsible’

The second of two psychiatrist to testify in the Matthew de Grood murder trial believes the 24-year-old should be held ‘not criminally responsible’ for the deaths of the five victims killed in Brentwood two years ago.

Dr. Lenka Zedkova took the stand Wednesday afternoon for the defence and answered questions pertaining to her 30 page report on de Grood.

In it she outlines the timeline of events as explained to her by the suspect, reports from Calgary police and interviews with family members.

Zedkova estimated she spent probably 14 hours with de Grood as background.

“Mr. de Grood appeared to be in a psychotic state, likely in the context of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. No information indicated that he used alcohol or illicit substances around the time of the index offences,” reads her report, which Justice Eric Macklin ordered unsealed following her testimony.

In her conversations with the suspect, she says he was mostly cooperative except for one time when she tried to delve into his past.

He refused to answer any of her questions but then later decided that was wrong.

De Grood painted for her a disturbing picture of his inner mind that included mentions of werewolves, zombies, battles between the Sun and Moon God, calling himself at times “the son of god”.

She also revealed Mr. de Grood had knowledge that the act he was committing was wrong.

“Mr. De Grood indicated that while stabbing the five individuals, he was acting in self-defence, after he interpreted his first victim’s statements as threatening to his life, and after hearing a commanding voice of the son of God telling him “kill them before they kill you.” It appears that for several weeks Mr. De Grood was consumed by conspiracy theories, fearing that he would be killed by the Illuminati. It seems rather believable that his additional belief about the end of the world and the war between the Gods starting that night intensified his paranoid ideation. His statements and some of his behaviour certainly seemed strange that night. He expressed some of his beliefs to his friends and gave garlic and a knife to his friend for protection, while garlic was found in his possession by the police. In addition, his behaviour, which he later indicated was driven by his suspicions (putting his name on a pop can and refusing tea to avoid poisoning) was observed by witnesses. This information seems to support Mr. De Grood’s claim that, in his mind, the killing was morally justified as he believed he was going to be killed.”

According to Zedkova, the strange behaviours and tendencies plaguing him appear to have been manifesting for weeks.

She believes he was under different categories of delusions, persecutory delusions, grandiose and auditory hallucinations.

“Inconsistencies were brought up with Mr. De Grood. He stated that although he believed that he was defending his life, he realized that he was killing individuals who, although about to kill him, were possessed by the moon God and likely unable to control their actions, and that killing them felt therefore horrible, albeit necessary. He returned his original statement that the moon possessed people to be more aggressive. Mr De Grood admitted that he was hiding in the dumpster as well as running from the police as he realized that his actions were against the law. He knew that the police likely were not aware about the end of the world and would not understand his explanation for his acts.”

“He was not in touch with reality,” she said. “My opinion at the time when the assessment ended in September 2014 was that Mr. de Grood suffered from schizophrenia.”

Details revealed in her report show de Grood stabbed Zackariah Rathwell after a conversation in the kitchen about Buddhism, where Rathwell had made a comment that said something to the effect of ‘you’ll die before I will.”

References were also made to Jordan Segura’s t-shirt, he was wearing something that de Grood referred to as the “all-seeing eye.”

“He intended to kill these individuals because he believed his life was in danger,” she said. “It (the break with reality) may have developed quite suddenly for example in response to stressors.”

She delved into his past background and his abuse of ecstasy and cocaine when he was a teenager.

Both she and an earlier psychiatrist were unable to draw any link between drugs, alcohol and his actions that night at the home on Butler Crescent N.W..

The report also looked at previous social media posts, including ones where his parents thought was “creepy” and asked him to delete it.

It highlights a strained relationship with his family in the weeks leading up to the murders.

Zedkova in the paperwork also makes reference to reports from the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre where de Grood had to be segregated at times and exhibited strange behaviour.

“At SAFPC, Mr. De Grood appeared significantly anxious which was viewed as a consequence of both his paranoid ideation and his legal situation. At AHE, Mr. De Grood was still expressing worries regarding the outcome of this assessment and the verdict, which seemed rather appropriate in this situation.”

It included comments where de Grood himself had inquired about the NCR defence, as it was brought up, immediate scoffs could be heard from the back of the gallery.

Zedkova also makes reference to text messages he sent his mother on the night in question, including:

“In Frankenstein victor Frankenstein never kills anyone so he has nothing to fear”
“And he doesn’t care about $”
“Look up my chinese astrology”
“Book of revelations”
“I am, I descended from pontius pilot and hitler?”
“If you are concerned call John ellard or kibeom lee.”
“I’m ok not coming home tonight”
“Read cirque du freak I’m not paranoid”
“Just read it and read about the moons google it trust me”
“I love you”
“Trust me, it’s a reincarnation this time I do the right thing for once instead of thinking only of myself”
“Tonight was alan wake and sermon on the mount”
“Alan wake is distorted through illuminati”
“I will never die and no one will die”
“You can’t come here you will die”
“You are possessed by the moon I will come to you okay”
“I have to give it a bit I promise I’m coming ASAP give me time”

Messages he sent on the night in question to his father include:

“I’m definitely your son”
“Uranus and Leo and metal goat”
“All literature tells the same story look at the Rothschilds”
“illuminati”
“Mary doesn’t have to die this time, operation mind crime to American soldier”
“Call John ellard or kiebom lee then”
“I’ll see one of them”

De Grood during most of the testimony was unable to look up, he and his parents sitting in the front spent much of their time starting at their feet.

Officials though highlighted he may not be able to express some emotion because of his treatment, including the anti-psychotic risperidone.

“There was no medical reason that would have caused his illness that would have been investigated.”

Given his post-secondary education in psychology and law, she testified she doesn’t believe de Grood was faking his symptoms but admitted it was a concern.

“I believe his knowledge is largely theoretical and that he didn’t have any kind of practical experience,” said Zedkova.

According to figures provided by her, it’s impossible to predict the outcome if he is able to continue his treatment after being deemed “not criminally responsible” but adds 1/3 of those in similar positions do improve.

“Information from many sources indicates that Mr. De Grood’s mental state has changed significantly in recent months,” she adds in her report. “Given the difficulties with social situations and his overall social avoidance. Mr. De Grood may suffer from social anxiety disorder, although this aspect of his behaviour was somewhat being normalized by him and his parents. At the minimum, he exhibits avoidant personality traits, if not a disorder. Mr De Grood was described by his parents as a “people-pleaser” having difficulties expressing disagreement. His sister and him described moving out and living on his own as a significant stressor for him. This may suggest the presence of dependent personality traits.”

Later in her cross-examination, Zedkova did admit to being surprised as to how he was able to remember the stab wounds and told lawyer Neil Wiberg she could only speculate as to a reason.

Zedkova was later excused and court was adjourned until Thursday morning.

That’s when defence lawyer Allan Fay will call his last witness, a psychologist from Edmonton who also treated and assessed de Grood.

Final submissions are expected Tuesday.

660’s Ian Campbell is covering the trial: