Frank Donnelly
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
NEW YORK — A 63-year-old Mariners Harbor man accused of attacking an emergency medical technician last year outside a strip mall in his community has been found mentally unfit for trial.
A recent court-ordered psychiatric exam determined Glenn Stephens doesn’t understand the charges against him and can’t aid in his defense.
Defense lawyer Mark Geisser and prosecutors confirmed the findings at a remote hearing Monday in state Supreme Court, St. George.
Stephens was ordered placed in a secure psychiatric facility where he’ll be treated and periodically evaluated.
Sources in other cases have said it is not uncommon for such individuals to be found capable of standing trial after receiving appropriate medication.
If Stephens is ultimately determined to be competent, the case will proceed toward a disposition at trial or by plea.
The alleged attack occurred around 10:17 p.m. Aug. 9 outside 2220 Forest Ave., said a criminal complaint.
A strip mall comprised of several eateries, a liquor store, a bank and other businesses is situated there.
The complaint said a Fire Department EMT was aiding Stephens when the defendant punched the man in the groin and dumped a glass of soda over his head.
The complaint does not say why the EMT was tending to the defendant.
Stephens, who lives on the 2000 block of Forest Avenue, was arrested around 6:40 a.m. the next morning, online state court records show.
He was subsequently indicted on felony and misdemeanor counts of assault.
The defendant has denied the allegations.
Geisser, the defense lawyer, declined comment on the case.
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