Judge orders mental assessment for accused in Wilkie murder

A man charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife is being order to see a doctor for a mental assessment.

The results will determine whether Wesley John Veit can continue with the judicial process and ultimately face trial.

Veit made his second appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court Tuesday.

He is accused of second-degree murder in the death of Heidi Veit. Her body was located roughly five kilometres northeast of Wilkie on March 28.

Since Veit is in custody in Saskatoon, he attended Tuesday’s hearing via video and his lawyer, Leslie Sullivan, took part via phone call.

Sullivan suggested Veit be examined by doctors in North Battleford.

She told court after meeting with him for an hour, she believed he had difficulty with comprehension. The judge and Crown agreed with Sullivan’s request as Veit appeared to have trouble comprehending what the judge was saying to him and the seriousness of his charges.

The judge ordered Veit to be examined by doctors at the forensic unit at the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford. There is no space available at the moment, so it could take weeks before an examination can take place.

The case has been adjourned until May 1 at 11 a.m. 

Police have not disclosed any information on the cause of death or the events leading up to Heidi’s death. She worked at Living Sky School Division as an educational assistant.