A lawyer for the man accused this week of murdering his parents in Ottawa says his client has autism and mental health issues, and that he will look into having Cameron Rogers found not criminally responsible.

"It's difficult at this point to basically say what my defence will be, but one thing is for sure ... my client, having mental health issues, being autistic, we are going to look into a possible NCR defence, which is a non-criminal responsibility for mental health issues," Christian Deslauriers told reporters after Rogers's first Ottawa court appearance on Wednesday morning.

Montreal police notified Ottawa police of a possible incident at 1614 Apeldoorn Ave. on Monday night, after a 22-year-old man called 911 from Montreal and was taken into custody. Two bodies were found outside near a shed. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

"I don't know if it's going to apply or not at this point; I haven't reviewed the evidence. Sometimes you read the police report and after ... you don't think this is the best way to approach the case. But one thing is for sure, when your client has mental health issues, this is a route you have to look into."

Rogers was arrested Monday night in Montreal after calling police. Montreal police then alerted Ottawa police that something might be wrong at 1614 Apeldoorn Ave.

Former Ottawa Citizen reporter Dave Rogers and his wife, Merrill Gleddie Rogers, were found dead in the backyard of their Ottawa home on Monday night after their son called police in Montreal. Cameron Roger was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder. (Wayne Cuddington/Ottawa Citizen)

That same night, Ottawa officers discovered the bodies of former Ottawa Citizen reporter Dave Rogers and his wife, Merrill Gleddie Rogers, in their backyard near a shed. They had been there for some time, investigators believe.

On Tuesday, Cameron Rogers was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and was transferred from Montreal to Ottawa, where the case will be handled.

"It's a sad case. Unfortunately … it's another case where a family has been destroyed …," said Ottawa police Det. Chris Benson outside the Ottawa courthouse on Wednesday.

Defence lawyer Christian Deslauriers says his client, who is facing two charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents in Ottawa, has autism and mental health issues. (Giacomo Panico/CBC)

"We're looking into all aspects on why this may have happened, and that's going to be part of our investigation and hopefully we have those answers before we go to court, whenever this case goes to court later on."

Just before the court appearance, Deslauriers said he was able to meet with his client for about an hour and a half at the Ottawa police station on Tuesday evening.

Deaths about 2 weeks ago, lawyer says

Deslauriers described Rogers as being "in shock," and said it's difficult for clients such as Rogers, who have no criminal records, to find themselves in custody for the first time.

Deslauriers also said it's his understanding that the deaths occurred about two weeks ago, and that his client did in fact call Montreal police on Monday night. But Deslauriers added he doesn't yet have confirmation about what was said.