A man accused of killing his common-law partner, their three young children and his partner’s cousin in southern Manitoba last month has been deemed fit to stand trial, a Winnipeg court heard on Thursday afternoon.
The results of a mental health assessment for Ryan Manoakeesick, 29, were delivered earlier Thursday, Crown attorney Christian Vanderhooft told court. No further details were provided.
Manoakeesick, who did not appear in court, was represented by a law student who appeared for defence lawyer Laura Robinson.
Manoakeesick is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his common-law partner, Amanda Clearwater, 30, their three children, six-year-old Bethany, four-year-old Jayven and two-month-old Isabella, as well as Clearwater’s cousin Myah Gratton, 17.
Their bodies were discovered earlier this month at three separate locations in and around Carman, a town of 3,000 people southwest of Winnipeg. The case has been adjourned until June 3.