17-Year-Old Charged In Death Of Parents To Remain In Custody, Judge Orders Psychological Examination

A 17-year-old boy was ordered by a judge to undergo psychological examination. He's in the custody of police officials after being charged over allegedly killing his parents.

The teenager was identified as Andrew Balcer. He was charged with two counts of murder. Balcer's parents, Antonio and Alice, were found dead in a home in Winthrop. An emergency call at around 1:45 a.m. led the authorities to the bodies of Antonio and Alice.

The emergency call came from a neighbor after a woman coming from the home of the Balcers said that someone had a gun and she feared for her life, Press Herald reported. Balcer was arrested hours after the bodies of his parents were found. He remains at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.

The defense attorney of Balcer, Walter McKee, did not object the request of the judge for a diagnostic psychological evaluation. The psychological evaluation was requested after prosecutor Assistant Attorney General Megan Elam requested for Balcer to be tried as an adult in court.

The detailed statements about the accusations were also ordered by Judge Eric Walker to be sealed from public viewing. No other details about how Antonio or Alice, both 47 years old, were killed, The Washington Post reported. Walker explained that the committed act by Balcer could be classified as a class A, B, or C crime, which are all felonies. He would be ordering a review of the case at a later date.

Walker also said that Balcer remains in detention to ensure the presence of the juvenile at the future hearing. Also, since there is no parent or a guardian willing and able to supervise and care for the juvenile, the detention will be providing physical care over Balcer.

The detention also serves the purpose of preventing the juvenile from hurting witnesses and other people. Balcer is set to have an initial appearance by Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.