Nicholas Layman's lawyer to argue not criminally responsible defence

The lawyer representing Nicholas Layman, who is accused of stabbing an 11-year-old boy on a soccer pitch near St. John's last September, will argue his client was not criminally responsible.

Layman, 20, was scheduled to enter a plea during his court appearance in a provincial courtroom on Thursday morning. 

However, the case was set over until July 9.

During Layman's last appearance, Crown attorney Phil LeFeuvre and defence lawyer Mark Gruchy received copies of a psychiatric report on Layman, who has been remanded to the Waterford Hospital while his case makes its way through court.

He was charged with attempted murder, among other charges, after a boy was stabbed during a skills camp at a soccer field in the Topsail neighbourhood of Conception Bay South.

Layman's father and step-mother said their son began showing a change in behaviour when he was in high school.

It's expected pleas will be entered on the next court date.