30-day psych assessment ordered for teen accused of killing Calgary youth worker

The Calgary teen accused of fatally stabbing a care worker at an assisted living facility will undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment over mental health concerns.

Brandon Jacob Spencer Newman, 18, is charged with second degree murder in the death of Deborah Onwu. She was a caseworker with Wood's Homes, a non-profit organization that offers mental health programs and services for at-risk children and youth.

Newman was in court on Monday to see psychiatrist Dr. David Tano, who recommended the assessment that was then ordered by Judge Karim Jivraj.

Onwu's sister flew from England for the court appearance.

"I want to be here because I want justice," said Nancy Euwangue. "It's a long way from home but I have to be here. What happened to Debbie shouldn't happen to another family."

Accused is 'childlike,' says lawyer

Euwangue says her sister was her "soulmate."

"I miss her every day and I just want her back. There's nobody to talk to me anymore. She's the only one."

Defence lawyer Allan Fay says his client is "extremely childlike" and he is worried Newman does not understand what has happened and may not grasp the gravity of the situation. 

Police say a verbal fight between Onwu and Newman turned physical before the caseworker was fatally stabbed on Oct. 25.

In the days after her death, Onwu's union, CUPE, completed an internal investigation and raised concerns about workplace safety, especially given Newman was classified as needing a two-to-one care ratio."

On the night that Onwu was killed, her co-worker was on another floor dealing with a different client.

• Teen accused of killing Calgary youth worker 'extremely childlike,' lawyer says as psych assessment ordered

Newman, according to the union, has "complex mental health needs and a violent history." 

Euwangue says she knew her sister was in a dangerous position and encouraged her to find a new job.

"Unfortunately, she died doing what she liked the most," said Euwangue. "The truth: I didn't like the job, and I will never encourage anyone to go into that sector after what happened to my sister."