A judge ordered a man from Manitoba accused of killing five members of his family, including his three young children, to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

Ryan Manukisick appeared via video before Provincial Court Judge Donald Slaw on Monday after the defendant’s lawyer requested the evaluation.

The 29-year-old man, who was handcuffed and wearing jail clothes, said nothing during his court appearance.

His lawyer Morgan Lawrence told Slaw that the defense team had met with Manukisick several times and decided it was appropriate to request the evaluation. Lawrence did not go into further details about the discussions, citing confidentiality.

Manukisick is charged with five counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his common-law partner Amanda Clearwater; their three children, Bethany, Jaiven, and Isabella Manukisick; and Clearwater’s niece Mia Lee Gratton.

Police discovered the bodies of the family members earlier this month at multiple crime scenes in Carman and surrounding areas, a town of 3,000 people southwest of Winnipeg.

Prosecutor Christian Vanderhoft said his office expected disclosure from Manukisick’s lawyer and noted it was premature for the defense to request the evaluation, stating there "must be some basis for that."

Slaw told the court he was “satisfied” there was a reason to request the evaluation, which is scheduled to be completed within the next month.

Manukisick was convicted of assault in 2019. At the sentencing hearing, it was heard that he suffers from methamphetamine addiction and experiences anxiety and depression, along with other mental health issues.

He has been in custody since his arrest two weeks ago.