Lee Zeldin attacker in custody during mental health questions

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The man who allegedly attacked New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin through a campaign rally will stay powering bars till more is recognised about the state of his psychological wellness, a federal decide ruled Thursday. 

David Jakubonis, 43, will remain in custody pending a lot more data from the Office of Veterans Affairs about a current psychological health issues prognosis, Judge Marian Payson explained in the course of a detention hearing in Rochester federal court docket.

“I am quite much disinclined to launch Mr. Jakubonis to are living with himself,” the decide explained. “Such an unstructured environment is not an atmosphere I would be amenable to.”

The troubled Military veteran, a resident of Fairport, NY, was arrested on July 21 soon after he allegedly lunged at the Republican congressman with a bizarre weapon during an upstate campaign halt.

Federal prosecutor Sean Eldridge instructed the court docket Thursday that Jakubonis observed a warning light-weight on the dashboard of his car the day of the attack, and pulled into a mend shop across from the place Zeldin was speaking. 

A different veteran who was in the group instructed investigators that Jakubonis appeared “very odd” as he subsequently built his way by the group and toward the stage where by Zeldin was talking. 

The two vets had a temporary exchange in advance of Jakubonis allegedly said “sorry, I gotta do this” and held walking. 

Prosecutors said the other person shouted right after Jakubonis “what do you signify?” but received no reply.

Jakubonis walked handcuffed into court docket Thursday, carrying eyeglasses and a Monroe County Jail jumpsuit. He quietly examined the gallery as his cuffs were unlocked and he took his seat.

“It is the government’s see no ailments would reasonably assure the safety of the neighborhood,” Eldridge informed the judge, arguing Jakubonis was far too dangerous to be permit out of jail, even if the court docket imposed the strictest bail situations. 

“It was a crime of violence,” Eldridge included. “To characterize what transpired to Congressman Zeldin as a ‘close call’ is an understatement.” 

Eldridge also famous the odd, plastic, cat-shaped weapon used in the attack was promoted as a “self-defence” weapon. The judge asked for particulars and dimensions of the “My Kitty Self Defense Keychain,” but balked at it getting explained as a “dagger.”

Defense attorney Steven Slawinski said his client was a mentally struggle-scarred Iraq War vet with a ingesting dilemma, who had relapsed following a latest breakup.

“Mr. Jakubonis has extreme stress and anxiety and a stress ailment,” Slawinski mentioned. “He’d been via a breakup recently, fell off the wagon and went on a bender.”

“This is anyone who has served his nation honorably. I would inquire the court to make him an inpatient at the VA, rather than putting him in jail for an incident that was brought about by a relapse of alcoholism,” Slawisnki mentioned.

Slawinski argued Jakubonis should be produced from jail and despatched to a VA health-related center in Tub, NY, for psychiatric care and material abuse treatment.

“Mr Jakubonis went into the military, served for 5 decades in advance of he got an honorable discharge,” the attorney reported.

“While in the military he toured Iraq and was awarded the prestigious bronze star,” Slawinski additional. “He wasn’t ‘outside the line’ but was still exposed to risks and now has severe panic and a stress ailment.”

Slawinski claimed Jakubonis had been an alcoholic for most of his adult lifetime and his drinking worsened after his spouse died of a cerebral hemorrhage and he shed custody of his young children to his brother.

The judge reported she could not release Jakubonis without having understanding much more about his latest psychological illness diagnoses, which his protection crew is in the approach of requesting from the VA. 

“I am seeking to get a manage on no matter if the psychological health indicators are finding worse and no matter if they contributed to what transpired on July 21,” Payson reported.

“As much as Mr Jakubonis remaining an inpatient to address his alcohol issue, that seems warranted — whether or not it is sufficient I do not know,” reported Payson.

“The scenario in opposition to Mr Jakubonis seems moderately sturdy, which is not by itself cause for detention,” she ongoing. “The question is, is this aberrant actions and if so, are there adequate problems to make certain the protection of the neighborhood in the occasion he was released?”

“If Mr Jakubonis were being unveiled, the situations would need to be quite stringent and he would will need support,” Payson added.

Jakubonis has struggled with his mental health and fitness given that the dying of his wife and a healthcare discharge from the Army, a previous neighbor advised The Write-up.

A current neighbor mentioned the dad of two experienced been acting in different ways in recent months, generally blasting loud tunes from his apartment. The neighbor alleged they experienced overheard Jakubonis discussing a “relapse.”

“Everything manufactured sense, if he’s relapsing,” the neighbor opined to The Write-up. “Music’s obtaining loud currently.” 

Jakubonis experienced instructed police that he has a near connection with his father. But regulation enforcement, prosecutors and the defense have been not able to get in touch with him.

For that reason, Payson claimed, it would not be feasible to release Jakubonis into his family’s care. 

Jakubonis is up coming owing in court docket on August 24, even though a decision on his bail might be produced faster.