A treatment program is being developed for a Lacombe teenager accused of trying to kill his stepmother.
Lawyers for the 17-year-old boy, whose name is withheld under provisions of the Canada Youth Justice Act, have entered a plea of not guilty because he was not criminally responsible due to his mental state.
The boy, who remains in custody at Calgary Young Offenders Centre, was arrested during the early evening of April 12 in relation to a violent outburst at his family’s home.
He was subsequently charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, using a knife to commit an offence and unlawful possession of a 12-gauge shotgun.
In Red Deer provincial court on Tuesday, Red Deer lawyer Luke Kurata said he and co-counsel John McNaughton do not take issue with the facts.
The defence team had previously submitted a report by Calgary psychiatrist John Naylor, whose findings will be used to support the contention that their client has been grappling with mental health issues.
Kurata urged the court to move forward with the matter as quickly as possible.
“He needs treatment. To keep him sitting (in remand) another month may not be in his best interest,” said Kurata.
The accused and his lawyers return to Red Deer youth court on Aug. 9, when it is anticipated that he will be committed for treatment.