CALGARY - A man accused in Calgary's worst mass murder is scheduled to appear in court today after months in custody.

Matthew de Grood was arrested in April and charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of five young people at an end-of-school house party near the University of Calgary campus.

De Grood, who is 22, is to appear in court to give his election and plea.

A psychiatric review determined that de Grood is fit to stand trial because he understands the charges against him and is able to communicate with his lawyer.

The accused, the son of a senior Calgary police officer, has been in psychiatric care since his arrest.

His lawyer has not ruled out a defence that de Grood was not criminally responsible.