A brief procedural hearing was held Monday in Sherbrooke for the 16-year-old boy accused of kidnapping 82-year-old Rejeanne Pelletier-Charette, where lawyers asked for the boy's psychiatric evaluation.
The teenager looked slightly disoriented in the prisoner's dock Monday, cracking a few nervous smiles, as the two lawyers representing him asked the judge for a psychiatric assessment of the accused.
The boy may not understand the gravity of the accusations, or even understand the judicial process, said defence lawyer Claire Dejean.
"We made that request to make sure that the client knows what the accusations are, and what the consequences of the accusations are," said Dejean.
Pelletier-Charette's body was discovered on Aug. 17, four days after she was last seen by friends and family at her home in the Sherbrooke suburb of Rock Forest.
An autopsy confirmed Pelletier-Charette was stabbed to death but investigators won't say if they have found the murder weapon yet.
The investigation is ongoing, said prosecutor Claude Longpre-Poirier.
"Many things have to be verified first; it's a very complex case," she said.
No murder charges
Hours before her body was discovered, a teenager was charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement and possession of stolen property in connection with her disappearance.
Prosecutors said they are not rushing to press murder charges because one person is already in custody. They also say they want to make sure they have built up a solid case before moving forward.
The boy, who cannot be identified because he is a youth, is expected to appear in court again next Monday.
The teenager's attorney said at the moment the boy has no plans to apply for bail.
