GREGORY DESPRES

'Gregory Allan Despres' is the suspected killer behind the murders of Fred Fulton, 74, and Veronica "Verna" Decarie, 70, of Minto, New Brunswick, Canada, on April 23, 2005. Despres is famous for his court behaviour such as complaining that his lawyers are agents of Al-Qaeda and raising his middle finger towards the families of the victims. Despres is also known for being allowed into the United States with a bloody chain saw seen in his vehicle.

Contents

Murders

On the run

First trial

Mental evaluation

Second trial

External links

Murders

On the evening April 23, 2005, Despres left his house and travelled a short distance on foot to his neighbors house. The residence of Fulton and Decarie. Despres gained access to the house by cutting open the screen of one door with a knife and kicking the second in.
Despres went to the couple's bedroom where he stabbed Decarie to death. Fulton attempted to escape the house, he made it to the porch before he was overpowered by Despres. Despres than dragged Fulton back to the kitchen where he decapitated him with a chain saw. It is rumored that Despres then threw Fulton's head out the back door. (It was actually found under the kitchen table).

On the run

Shortly after the murders, Despres packed up his car with the murder weapons and took off towards the United States. On April 25, 2005, one day before the bodies were discovered, he arrived at Calais, Maine's border crossing. There he was discovered to have a bloody chain saw and other weapons including a crude sword, knife and hatchet. Although he had these in his possession, the border guards still had to allow him into the United States after they confiscated the weapons and fingerprinted him because he is a United States Citizen.
From there, Despres hitchiked south to Massachusetts. On April 27, 2005, a trooper spotted Despres wandering on the side of the road. During a routine check for outstanding warrants, it was found Despres was expected in court that day in Fredericton, New Brunswick for an assault on Fulton's son-in-law in August 2004.
The day before, Fulton's daughter discovered the bodies of her father and Decarie at their residence in Minto. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) quickly suspected Despres and learned later he had been arrested in the United States and was currently jailed in Boston. Despres was extradited from Boston to Fredericton on September 15, 2005.

First trial

Despres trial was originaly scheduled for September 5, 2006. However on August 4, 2006 Despres fired his original lawyer Randy Maillet due to the fact they did not agree how the defence should be presented. This caused a major delay and the trial date was moved to January 8, 2007.
Despres trial would not be heard by a judge and not a jury. Judge Judy Clendenning would reside over the case. The prosecution focused its case on the blood trail, DNA evidence, and his relations with Fulton. The prosecution claimed that Despres and Fulton were constantly fighting. One of the major reasons for this was Despres supposed use of drugs.
On February 1, Despres lashed out at his lawyer Ed Darrah. Accusing him of working for Al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. He demanded his lawyer be fired. Clendenning refused his request. Darrah requested his client be sent for mental evaluation, Clendenning agreed and the trial was ended.

Mental evaluation

Hearings were held on April 24, 25 and 26, 2007. During this time, one expert, Dr. Scott Theriault, said that Despres was unfit to stand trial due to the fact he believe Despres had paranoid schizophrenia. Jeannie, Despres' mother backed this up by saying her son seemed to act strangely since the age of 17. Another expert testified that Despres was infact fit to stand trial and that medication could help any mental disorder he was facing. Judge Clendenning disagreed with that theory and ruled that Despres was unfit to stand trial on April 26.
On July 11, 2007, another group of experts went to the province's mental health review board and testified that Despres was infact fit to stand trial. A new trial was promptly ordered.

Second trial

There is currently no scheduled date for Despres' new trial. It is expected for the end of 2007 or early 2008.

External links

★ CBC.ca 15 September 2005

★ http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070123/despres_trial_070123/20070123/ CTV.ca 23 January 2007]