Marissa Shephard link to murder victim Baylee Wylie revealed

MarissaShephard and Baylee Wyliewere living together andknew each other as far back as middle school, Wylie's mother said Friday outside the Moncton courthouse.

Shephard, 20, is one of three people charged with first-degree murder in the Dec. 17 death of BayleeWylie, 18.

Speaking outside of court Friday after Shephard was ordered to undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment, Amanda Wylie gave the first public indication of the nature of the relationship between her son and Shephard. She said they were "good friends."

"They even hung out back when we lived in Riverview and Baylee was going to the middle school," said Wylie. "She used to play in the back yard of my apartment building.

"But they lost touch for years."

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Wyliesaid to her understanding,Shepharddid not go on to high school at the time her son did.

"I never heard tell of her for probably up to acouple of months or so before his death."

Wyliesaid her son moved into an apartment on Sumac Street withShephardabout three weeks before his body was found in the burned unit of the triplex.

"I don't know how close they were but he was living with her," she said.

"Something, closeness, I would assume was going on there."

Psychiatric assessment

In court on Friday,Judge AnneDugas-HorsmanorderedShephardto undergo a 30-day psychiatric assessment at theRestigoucheHealth Centre inCampbelltonto determine if she should be tried on charges for first-degree murder and arson.

Shephardis scheduled to return to court on April 15.

A psychiatric assessment is typically used by the courts to assess whether an accused is mentally fit to stand trail, and whether they could be found criminally responsible for the crimes they are charged with.

During Friday's court appearance,Shephardspent most the time with her back to the public seating area. She gave one glance at the public before leaving thecourtroom.

Wylie found it hard to describe her feelings seeing Shephard in court.

"The last time I came I didn't even get a look at her and this time I felt she looked straight at me," she said. "Anxiety, I guess.

"I started to get really nervous when she looked at me.

"I don't really have any anger. It's more my heart's broken, so I'm not angry in any way," she said. "It was just upsetting because I really didn't know her prior to this."

3 charged in Wylie's death

Shephard, Tyler Noel and Devin Morningstarare charged with first-degree murder and arson in Wylie's death. RCMPhave said Wylie was violently killed.

Shephard spent 10 weeks eluding police after Wylie's body was discovered, but was captured in Moncton on March 1.

Morningstar waived his right to a preliminary hearing. His trial has been scheduled to begin on Oct. 18, with the court setting aside eight weeks for the trial.

A four-day preliminary hearing is set to begin on May 16 to determine if there is enough evidence for the charges against Noel to proceed to trial.