Gay Pride Parade stabber sent to psych ward to determine if fit to stand trial

Jerusalem Magistrate Court judge orders 48-hour evaluation, extends Shlissel’s remand 10 days.

Yishai Schlissel arrested after stabbing six people at the Jerusalem gay pride parade (photo credit: REUTERS)
Yishai Schlissel arrested after stabbing six people at the Jerusalem gay pride parade
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court judge on Tuesday ordered Yishai Schlissel, who was arrested last month after stabbing six participants at the capital’s annual Gay Pride Parade, to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
A previous psychiatric evaluation was inconclusive.
Apart from ordering a 48-hour stay for observation, the judge also extended Schlissel’s remand by 10 days.
Schlissel, 50, who is ultra-Orthodox and from Modi’in Illit in the West Bank, was released from prison three weeks before the attack after serving 10 years of a 12-year sentence for committing a similar crime at the 2005 Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade.
Since his arrest, he has refused representation and rejected the state’s authority. His youngest victim, Shira Banki, 16, died of her wounds a few days after the July 30 attack. The five other victims sustained serious-to-moderate wounds and are expected to recover.
Police have launched an investigation to determine how Schlissel – who published a letter announcing his violent intentions days before carrying out the attack – was not tracked by police and allowed to participate in the parade.