New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Bond raised to $2M for teen accused of attempted murder
STAMFORD — After being arraigned on new charges Tuesday, the Guilford teen accused of stabbing a woman outside a Westport salon in January had his bond increased to $ 2 million on Wednesday.
Ellis Tibere, 19, appeared by video confer
ence in state Superior Court in Stamford around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday on charges of attempted murder, firstdegree assault and possession of a deadly weapon in connection with the Westport stabbing.
The judge ordered Tibere to undergo a mental health competency evaluation and scheduled his next court date for Feb. 10.
He was arrested by local police Sunday on charges of violation of conditions of release and first-degree criminal mischief after Tibere allegedly removed his GPS monitor and left his family’s Guilford property where he had been on house arrest, according to police
Chief Warren “Butch” Hyatt.
“This event, again, shows how high risk this defendant is,” he said in reference to Tibere’s actions over the weekend that led to his re- arrest.
Attorney Eugene Riccio, who represents the victim in the stabbing, agreed with
Valdes.
Superior Court Judge Gary White said the purpose of bond is to ensure a defendant will attend court as well as the public’s safety.
“Both of those have been compromised by the defendant’s behavior,” White said.
Attorney John Gulash argued that doubling the bond was “overkill.” He said Tibere’s parents could not post the $ 250,000 bond set on Tuesday following their son’s re- arrest.
“I understand the seriousness of the situation ... but I think a much lower amount increase is probably appropriate,” Gulash said.
White set Tibere’s bond at $ 2 million.
The initial charges against Tibere stemmed from an incident on Jan. 6 when police say Tibere was waiting in the parking lot of New Beauty Wellness, at 1137 Post Road E., for hours before attacking a random woman. Tibere put on a black mask, approached a Greenwich woman in her car, opened the car door and started to stab her, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tibere had been free on a $ 1 million bond after he was discharged from a state psychiatric hospital in May. He had been found competent to stand trial.
Since his release, Tibere has been under house arrest living with his parents in Guilford.
On Sunday, after allegedly removing his GPS monitor, Tibere was found by his father on a nearby trail, armed with a knife and going by the name “Jackson,” Sgt. Kurt Fasulo wrote in Tibere’s arrest affidavit. His parents declined comment after Tuesday’s court appearance.
During Tuesday’s arraignment, Gulash asked Judge Patrick Clifford for a mental health evaluation for his client to address “current significant psychiatric needs.” Tibere opposed a mental health watch and waived his right to an attorney. Despite this, Clifford approved the mental health watch, transferred the case to state Superior Court in Stamford and continued it to Jan. 4.