a day ago
Canadian court suggests HOT WEATHER was to blame for vicious assault of Jewish father enjoying park with his children
A man accused of viciously assaulting a Jewish father-of-three in front of his young children has been handed a wild excuse for the unprovoked attack.
Sergio Yanes Preciado, 23, allegedly approached the unidentified father, 32, inside a park in Montreal's Parc-Extension neighborhood in Canada around 2:45pm on August 8 and began spraying water on him, before repeatedly punching him.
Shocking video captured by a witness showed the suspect kneeling over the victim, while swinging his fist repeatedly into his head.
The man eventually kicked the attacker off him and got to his knees, while trying to keep his children close.
The suspect was then seen stuffing items into a red bag before picking up what appeared to be a black kippah and throwing it into a large puddle of water. He then walked off while the victims stared, stunned.
Preciado was arrested Monday and charged with assault causing bodily harm the next day.
Now, a criminologist, who was not identified, has suggested the hot weather might have contributed to Preciado's actions that day. Temperatures reached a high of almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The criminologist had conducted a quick mental health evaluation ahead of Preciado's appearance before Quebec Court Judge Martin Chalifour inside Montreal courthouse Wednesday, according to The Montreal Gazette.
Preciado also 'seemed to have delirious ideas linked to his actions,' Judge Chalifour said, reading from the criminologist's report.
'The consumption of drugs does not seem to be connected to his mental health, but the criminologist concludes that an evaluation of his responsibility indicates (he should be evaluated further),' the judge said.
Preciado's mother also reported her son was struggling with his mental health, according the Montreal Gazette.
The criminologist recommended Preciado for further examination.
In Wednesday's hearing, the court ordered Preciado to undergo a 30-day evaluation at Philippe Pinel Institute. He will remain detained during that period.
The victim's family members spoke of their relief that his alleged attacker will remain in custody.
'We feel good that this person wasn't released and he's not going to be anywhere next to the victim's family or next to anybody else to be able to attack people,' the victim's brother-in-law, Zev Feldman, told City News.
Feldman said his three nieces had been left traumatized after witnessing the attack.
The family also believes the assault may have been motivated by hatred and antisemitism, he said.
The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Prime Minister Mark Carney weighed in on the incident, calling it an 'appalling act of violence'.
'Everyone in Canada has an inalienable right to live in safety,' he wrote in a statement. 'My thoughts are with the victim and his family as they recover.'
Preciado is expected back in court on September 12.
