The 22-year-old man accused of murdering a father and daughter in Balirmore, Alta. last month has been ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment to see if he is fit to stand trial.
Derek Saretzky appeared briefly via closed circuit television in a Lethbridge courtroom on Sept. 30.
Saretzky was arrested and charged in connection to the deaths of Terry Blanchette, 27 and his two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette on Sept. 15.
Saretzky is facing two counts of first-degree murder and one count of indignity to a human body.
Last week, media outlets reported that Saretzky attempted suicide while in custody at Lethbridge Correctional Centre on Sept. 23.
It is said he was found in the shower by himself and taken to Chinook Regional Hospital.
The families of the deceased provided a statement last week to Saretzky’s family, saying they do not condone the “vile and malicious epithets” the family was facing.
“We find it abhorrent. It’s important that you know we bear you no ill will. And, we pray that you, too, find the path away from this tragedy towards peace and understanding.”
The assessment will be done at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre in Calgary.
The case is due back in court in Lethbridge on Oct. 29.
