Accused in Eastern College knife attack to undergo assessment
Luke Thomas Walter Powers, who is facing three assault-related charges, will return to court on March 11
A Fredericton man charged in connection with a knife attack at Eastern College that sent three people to hospital last month has been ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment.
Luke Thomas Walter Powers, 31, is facing two counts of indictable aggravated assault, and one count of indictable assault.
He has not yet entered any pleas.
One instructor and two students suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious from a large, long-bladed machete-style knife on Jan. 20.
Powers was expected to have a bail hearing on Friday.
There is a publication ban on evidence presented or representations made during the court proceedings.
Powers is being sent to the Restigouche Hospital Center in Campbellton and is scheduled to return to court on March 11.
Friends of Powers, who was with the military, have said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Defence lawyer T.J. Burke had previously requested a 14-day adjournment in order to gather medical information on his client.
Police were called about a disturbance at the college on Prospect Street about 8:25 a.m. By the time officers arrived, students and staff had managed to subdue the suspect.