A Yorkton judge has ordered psychological evaluations and presentence reports for two youths who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the September 2016 killing of Lawrence Skoretz.
The teenagers, who cannot be named because they are under the age of 18, appeared in Yorkton Court May 23 for what was supposed to be a hearing to set a sentencing date. The reports will help determine whether the youths are candidates for a federal-provincial program called Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision.
The program is designed for youth with mental illness concerns who have committed violent crimes.
Crown prosecutor Andrew Wyatt said the reports are due to the Court, Crown and defence September 18 for review.
A new hearing date was scheduled for October 11, at which time Wyatt expects a sentencing date will be set.
Skoretz, 67, was found unresponsive on Wellington Park Road, near his home, early on the morning of September 13 and pronounced dead on arrival at Yorkton Regional Health Centre.
On September 22, the two boys were arrested at a residence on Fourth Avenue and charged with first-degree murder and robbery with violence. A third person, Desiree Musqua, was later charged with robbery in connection to this case.
The teens pleaded guilty to the lesser-included charge of second-degree murder on April 26.
The robbery charges will likely be dealt with at sentencing
