The lawyer for a 22-year-old son accused of murdering his adoptive parents said he will explore the possibility of a “not criminally responsible” defence after learning the young Ottawa man has autism.

Criminal defence lawyer Christian Deslauriers made the comments Wednesday after Cameron Rogers appeared in court by video to face two counts of first-degree murder.

The bodies of Dave Rogers – a former Citizen reporter – and his wife Merrill Gleddie were found behind a shed in the backyard of their home in Carleton Heights late Monday night. Deslauriers said it’s his understanding the killings likely happened about two weeks ago.

The son seemed calm as he appeared on video from the cells of the courthouse Wednesday, but his lawyer said his client is “shocked” and in “a very difficult situation.”

“It’s a person without a criminal record, never been arrested, never spent a night in jail in his life,” said Deslauriers outsise of court.

“My client has mental health issues (and) he’s autistic and that adds up another challenge for me, obviously, to communicate with him.”

As the defence waits for disclosure from the Crown, the case was adjourned to Dec. 9 and Rogers was remanded into custody.

Cameron Rogers allegedly confessed to killing his parents in what police believe was a double murder.

After getting a call from Montreal police, officers from the Ottawa force went to the family’s home on Apledoorn Avenue just after 10 p.m. and made the grisly discovery. Deslauriers said his client called police from Montreal, although it’s not clear why he was in that city.

Rogers was 69 and Gleddie was 63.

“He called police to report what happened. The way the police found out was him calling,” said the young man’s lawyer Wednesday.

The family’s neighbour, Ehab Zalok, described the 22-year-old as a loner, who would often be seen outside kicking a soccer ball or riding his bike by himself. Last Halloween, he dressed in full costume to scare kids and hand out candy at the family’s home.

Outside the Elgin Street courthouse Chris Benson, a detective with the Ottawa police major crime unit, told reporters Rogers appeared “polite” when he met him briefly on Tuesday, but was unable to discuss a possible motive behind the killing.

“It’s a sad case. Again, it’s another case where another family has been destroyed. Two loving parents that are (allegedly) killed by their son and we’re looking into all aspects on why this may have happened and that’s going to be part of our investigation,” Benson said.

“Hopefully we have those answers before we go to court.”

— With files from Shaamini Yogaretnam

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