The Penticton man charged with the second-degree murder of 53-year-old Karl Alkier appeared briefly in a Penticton courtroom Monday
afternoon.
The judge ordered that a psychological assessment be conducted on the 19-year-old within 30 days.
The assessment will be done by doctors at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam. A report will be produced on whether the accused is fit to stand trial or if he can be held criminally responsible.
The assessment will be completed while the suspect is in custody. The judge has recommended the man be placed in the hospital ward at Kamloops Correctional Centre, as opposed to the general ward.
The man is to reappear in court on Jan. 20.
Alkier was stabbed shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday at 1605 Hatfield Ave.
The accused is the son of the victim‘s partner, said police.
Police described the event as an incident of domestic violence and said other members of the family were present at the time.
