SASKATOON – The man accused of killing Karina Wolfe will undergo a psychological assessment before his next court appearance in December. Jerry Franklin Constant, 33, voluntarily walked into Saskatoon’s police station and gave himself up, according to authorities.
He faces a second-degree murder charge and offering an indignity to human remains in the disappearance and death of Wolfe, who went missing in July 2010.
READ MORE: Human remains identified as missing Saskatoon woman, man charged
Authorities say Constant contacted police on Nov. 10 with information that led them to an area northwest of Saskatoon, where Wolfe’s body was eventually found. The search area is in the airport authority district and was roughly the size of a football field, according to police.
On Monday, Constant made his first court appearance Monday morning in Saskatoon provincial court via video link. He stated he understood the charges he faces and voluntarily agreed to a psychiatric assessment.
“Today the Crown asked for an assessment to be conducted in relation to him to determine whether or not he’s going to be fit to stand trial and the matters been adjourned over until December 8th for that purpose,” said Crown prosecutor Matthew Miazga.
WATCH: The man accused of killing Karina Wolfe in 2010 will undergo psychiatric assessment after turning himself in to police. Meaghan Craig has details of Jerry Constant’s first court appearance
On Nov. 11, Constant was released from police custody and place in the care of the Dubé Centre until his arrest.
On Monday, a packed courtroom heard that when the accused showed up at police headquarters to give his statement, he reported hearing voices, was distraught and had suicidal thoughts, circumstances that were a concern for the Crown.
“I think in a case like this it’s an important thing to do just for everybody’s assurance that everything’s done properly and that he’s properly able to give instructions to a lawyer, that he knows what he’s charged with and that he’ll be able properly deal with the charges.” said Miazga.
Earlier this year, Constant was acquitted in a sexual assault case stemming from 2011, He previously served two years followed by three years probation after being convicted of sexual assault in 2001.
Wolfe was 20 when she disappeared. She had been the subject of a missing persons case ever since.
Carol Wolfe, Karina’s mother, said her family “is suffering with a heavy heart.”
“I am grateful that she was returned home so family can lay her to rest,” said Carol Wolfe, who is hearing impaired and spoke through an interpreter.
“The last memory I have is Karina saying, ‘I love you mom and I will be home later.'”
Authorities do not believe Constant and Wolfe knew each other prior to the day she went missing in 2010, according to Staff Sgt. Tyson Lavallee of the Saskatoon Police Service. Lavalle would not detail how the two met on that day.
“Because this is before the courts I think his story is best relayed through the court process,” said Lavallee.
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