Justin Bourque ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment

Justin ChristienBourque, the 24-year-old accused of killing three Mounties and wounding two others last month in Moncton, N.B., has been ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment.

The Moncton man ischarged with three counts of first-degreemurder and two counts of attempted murder in connection with the June 4 shootings.

He has not yet entered any pleas.

Bourquewas scheduled to elect his mode of trial Thursday before provincial court Judge Irwin Lampert at 1:30 p.m. AT, but his newlyretaineddefence lawyer, David Lutz, requested the assessment.

Lutz said he met extensively with Bourque's father, Victor Bourque, as well as Bourque's mother, and is aware of the circumstances.

Bourque's father wrote an affidavit, supporting the assessment.

The judge said he believedthe threshold for the order was met, based on what he read in the affidavit.

The assessmentwill be conducted at theShepody Healing Centre inDorchester.

Justin Bourque will return to court on July 31.

The Monctoncourtroom was packed for his appearance on Thursday, with hisfather and several other supporters in attendance.

Codiac Regional RCMP Supt. Marlene Snowman was also in court.

Bourque, who was shaggy-haired and bearded, andwearing grey sweatpants and a grey T-shirt, did not make eye contact with anyone in the gallery.

Outside the courtroom, Bourque family friend Mirelle Thibeault saidthis has been difficult for his family.

"I think I wanted more answers which might come along after this evaluation," she said. "Just like everyone else, just to know what triggered this to happen."

Lutzdeclined to comment to reporters outside the courtroom, saying he will not speak while the process is underway.

Crown prosecutors Cameron Gunnand P.J. Veniotalso declined interviews following the court proceedings.

Neither the court-appointed duty counselnor the Crown had requested a psychiatric evaluation duringBourque'sfirst court appearance on June 6.

He was arrested just after midnight that day, following a two-day manhunt that involved hundreds of police officers from across the country and saw much of the southeastern New Brunswick city locked down.

He has been in custody ever since.

TheRCMP officers who were killed on June 4 were:

• Const. Douglas JamesLarche, 40, from Saint John.
• Const. Dave Joseph Ross, 32, from Victoriaville, Que.
• Const. Fabrice Georges Gevaudan, 45, originally from Boulogne-Billancourt, France.

ConstablesricStphaneJ.Duboisand Marie DarleneGoguenwere also wounded.