Psych assessment ordered

court in custody on March 20. Judge Jean Whalen ordered Baltzer to be remanded to the East Coast Forensic Hospital in Dartmouth for a 30-day mental health assessment.

Baltzer is scheduled to return to court on April 18 for a psychological fitness hearing.

The assessment will determine whether or not Baltzer is fit to stand trial and whether or not the accused suffered from a mental disorder that would exempt him from criminal responsibility at the time of the alleged offence.

Baltzer is charged with unlawfully producing methamphetamine and committing mischief by wilfully damaging property to a value exceeding $5,000. The charges have not been proven in court. It’s alleged that Baltzer committed the offences in Kentville on March 10.

Members of the Kentville Police Service and Kentville firefighters received a report of a suspicious odour from the owner of the North End Market building on Mee Road at around 8:30 p.m. on March 10.

After entering the building to locate the source, police and fire officials discovered what appeared to be a suspected drug activity related to the production of methamphetamine. The building was immediately evacuated due to the toxic nature of the chemicals involved.

The Kings County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit, RCMP Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team and Kings County HAZMAT Unit including firefighters from the Kentville, New Minas and Wolfville departments were called to assist.