Extradition ordered for man charged in 2 slayings in N.B.

BOSTON – A federal judge in Boston has ordered the extradition of a man charged in the double slaying of his neighbors in New Brunswick.

Gregory Despres, 22, arrived at the border crossing at Calais, Maine, on April 25, carrying a homemade sword, a hatchet, knife, brass knuckles and a chain saw stained with what appeared to be blood.

The next day, the bodies of his neighbors were discovered in Minto, New Brunswick. Later that night, Despres was arrested in Mattapoisett, Mass., after police saw him wandering down the street in a shirt that appeared to be stained with blood.

During a hearing in U.S. District Court in Boston on Thursday, Despres did not fight extradition, but his lawyer said he does not believe he is mentally competent to stand trial.

U.S. Magistrate Marianne Bowler did not immediately rule on the extradition request. Her approval was made public Friday.

Samantha Martin, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, said it could take up to 60 days for Despres to be sent to Canada.

In court Thursday, prosecutors said they were told by Canadian authorities that DNA testing done on clothing seized from Despres after his arrest matched the blood of Frederick Fulton, 74, Despres’ neighbor, who was found decapitated in his home. Fulton’s common-law wife, Verna Decarie, 70, was found stabbed to death.