A trial for an 18-year-old Tunisian national, who was a minor at the time he allegedly committed attempted murder, sexual assault, and robbery against a 66-year-old woman, has been paused after the judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation.

The victim was attacked while jogging on April 15 on a cycle path in Tabina di Magreta.

The defendant’s legal representation requested a psychiatric evaluation for the Tunisian migrant, who was a homeless guest at a local community center known as Don Orione 80 in Magreta.

This request was granted by the judge to determine the minor’s capacity to understand the situation at the time of the incident, as well as his maturity and awareness of the incident, according to Italian newspaper Modena.

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If he is evaluated as being psychologically impaired, he may face no jail time at all.

While the defendant initially remained silent during the hearing, he eventually chose to answer the judge. He declared he did not know what happened during the incident, though he did identify the clothing seized by the Italian police during the investigation as his own.

Defendant acted with clear intent

Marco Pellegrini, the lawyer representing the injured woman, stated that there is no doubt about the defendant’s responsibility. Notably, the defendant acted in a manner that indicated he was aware of his actions and attempted to conceal them from police.

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“I believe that the prosecution’s case is very solid –so does the lawyer– and that the attempt to attribute the accusation to a mistaken identity borders on ridicule. As for the’ psychiatric nature assessment I think that, on the part of a juvenile court, it is a due act on which we express no reservations, but that at the time of the act, the accused was completely lucid, said Pellegrini.”

“The lucidity. It is demonstrated by his behavior following the attack: He tried to hide traces of the crime by washing his clothes, washing himself, and running away. So he wasn’t confused, he was perfectly aware of the possibility of risking being identified. This, for me, cannot be questioned in any way by expert opinion.”