AUGUSTA, Maine — A 17-year-old charged with murder in the death of his parents made his first court appearance Tuesday at the Capital Judicial Center.
Andrew Balcer allegedly killed Anthonio and Alice Balcer, both 47, late Sunday or early Monday. Their bodies were found in their Winthrop home Monday.
No new details about their deaths were made public Tuesday.
Dressed in blue slacks, a gray sweatshirt and sneakers, the teenager spoke with his attorney, Walter McKee of Augusta, and told the judge that the lawyer could speak for him.
Andrew Balcer’s dark brown hair fell over his forehead, and he appeared to be growing a goatee.
The teenager was not asked to enter pleas to the two counts of murder.
District Court Judge Eric Walker found probable cause for the charges and ordered that Andrew Balcer undergo a psychological evaluation in anticipation of a hearing to determine if he will be tried as an adult as the prosecution has requested.
State law requires such an evaluation be ordered when the prosecution files a motion to try a juvenile as an adult.
Walker ordered that Andrew Balcer be held without bail at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.
“There are no parents or other adult person to supervise him,” the judge said in ordering the detention.
Walker also said that if released, Andrew Balcer might threaten witnesses or cause bodily harm to others.
The judge also banned cameras, audio recorders and electronic devices from being used in the courtroom because Andrew Balcer is a juvenile.
At McKee’s request, the judge sealed indefinitely the affidavit that was filed in support of probable cause to make the arrest.
McKee and Assistant Attorney General Meg Elam declined to speak to the media after the brief hearing.
About half a dozen family members and friends of the victims were in the courtroom but declined to talk with reporters.
Marc Belserene, spokesman for the office of the chief medical examiner, said late Tuesday in an email that no information about the autopsies of Anthony and Alice Balcer would be released until the end of the day Wednesday. It would not be unusual for the office to state the cause of their deaths was homicide but not to release the manner of their deaths.
The teenager’s next court appearance was set for Nov. 17.
Alice Balcer worked at the Winthrop Veterinary Hospital. A receptionist said Tuesday she could not provide Alice Balcer’s job title, nor how long she worked there.
Antonio Balcer was retired from the U.S. Coast Guard and a member of the Exiles Motorcycle Club, Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said. Antonio Balcer, known as “The Rev,” served as a road captain and webmaster for the organization, which bills itself as the oldest motorcycle club in Maine, according to its website.
The Exiles and their loved ones are shocked and heartbroken by the deaths of the Balcers and the charges against their son, said one of the motorcycle club’s members.
“There are no words that put it into perspective,” said Al, an Exiles member who answered the phone at the Augusta clubhouse on Tuesday. He declined to provide his last name. “It’s a hole in the heart.
“He was a good man, an ordained minister,” said Al, who said he knew nothing of any family problems involving the Balcers. “It’s shocking.”
Antonio Balcer “was an active member, he loved to ride motorcycles and had an undeniable respect for other riders,” he said. “Allie was the same way. She was originally from Brewer.”
Just about every Wednesday, Antonio Balcer would ride north to spread the word of God at a Biker Bible Study held at Nealley’s Corner Church.
“People tend to see the [biker club] patch and think the worst, but Tony has helped many,” Pastor Steve Nute, nicknamed “Freight Train,” of Nealley’s Corner Church in Hampden said Tuesday of Antonio Balcer. A Facebook page for the church describes it as a non-denominational Bible church.
“I rode with Tony when he was a chaplain for the Sons of God MC years ago,” Nute said. “He joined the Exiles to get close and be a brother but kept the same mission.”
“The Rev” was “one of our church members and the one who taught the Wed. evening study,” Nute posted on the Nealley’s Church Facebook page. “It WILL go on. Please pray for his family.”
Biker Bible Study is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and you “don’t need a bike or to be a biker to attend,” the post states.
A special memorial is planned, but club members are waiting to coordinate with the Balcer family, another member said Tuesday.
If Andrew Balcer is convicted of murder as an adult, he faces between 25 years and life in prison. If convicted as a juvenile, he could be confined to Long Creek until he turns 21.
Maine law also would allow the judge to split the sentence between Long Creek and an adult facility if the teenager were to be tried and convicted as an adult.