WINNIPEG — A judge has ordered a Manitoba man accused of killing five family members, including three young children, to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial. .
Ryan Manoakisic appeared by video before state court Judge Donald Slough on Monday after his attorney requested an evaluation.
The 29-year-old man, who was handcuffed and wearing prison clothes, said nothing during his court appearance.
His lawyer, Morgan Lawrence, told Slough that his team had met with Manoakisic several times and decided it was appropriate to request an appraisal. Lawrence declined to go into details of the conversation, citing confidentiality.
Manoakisic is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the death of his common-law partner, Amanda Clearwater. their three children, Bethany, Javen, and Isabella Manoakisik; and niece Mya Lee Gratton of Clearwater.
Police found the family’s bodies at multiple crime scenes in and around Carman, Massachusetts, a town of 3,000 people southwest of Winnipeg, earlier this month.
Crown prosecutor Christian Vanderhooft said his office expected to receive information from Manoakisik’s lawyers and suggested it was premature for the defense to seek expert testimony. .
“There has to be some basis (to order it),” he said.
Slough told the court he was “satisfied” there were grounds to order an assessment, which he expected to complete within the next month.
Manoakisic was found guilty of criminal mischief in 2019. The sentencing hearing heard he suffered from methamphetamine addiction and suffered from anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
He has been in custody since his arrest two weeks ago.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2023.
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