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Fred Van Zuiden, the city senior charged with killing his wife, said Friday he has never murdered anyone.

A confused-looking Van Zuiden appeared in provincial court where defence lawyer Alain Hepner asked that the dementia sufferer undergo further psychiatric testing to determine his fitness to stand trial.

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“I have not committed a murder in all my life,” Van Zuiden said, as guards led him from the courtroom.

Hepner told Judge Ken McLeod that psychiatrist Dr. Ken Hashman requires another month to determine Van Zuiden’s mental capacity to understand the legal process.

Van Zuiden, 85, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife of 56 years, Audrey.

Audrey van Zuiden, 80, was found dead in the couple’s Rideau Place S.W. home on Oct. 4.

Van Zuiden seemed dumbfounded as his brief court appearance ended.

“I cannot believe it, I cannot believe it. I’m being accused,” he said as he was ordered to return to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre for further testing.