Assessment to gauge whether teen charged in kidnapping fit to stand trial

An assessment is expected to be ordered into whether a 19-yearold man accused of kidnapping and assaulting a teenage girl is fit to stand trial.

Kohl Alexander Elder faces a range of serious charges — including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, attempted murder and robbery — in relation to an incident alleged to have taken place on Oct. 13 and 14.

Elder appeared at Regina Provincial Court on Thursday by video link from the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre. Defence lawyer Noah Evanchuk asked the court to order the 30-day assessment. The request was put before the court with the consent of the Crown.

“I have concerns in terms of my client’s ability to understand the charges,” Evanchuk told the court when questioned by Judge Clifford Toth on the need for the assessment. Toth didn’t make the order Thursday, putting over the case to Friday to ensure there is bed space at the facility where the assessment would be done.

Elder’s charges relate to an incident reported to have started at about 9 p.m. Oct. 13. According to information previously released by the Regina Police Service, Elder met the 17-year-old complainant in a Regina parking lot after arranging to sell his cellphone.

It’s alleged the two were in the girl’s car when Elder threatened her with a knife before taking control of the vehicle. Police allege the vehicle was driven east toward Pilot Butte, where the girl was sexually assaulted.

The complainant was reportedly forced into the trunk at about 12:30 a.m. and driven back into the city. Police said she escaped while the vehicle was stopped for a red light.