Updated 08/18/2011 09:24 PM
S.I. Man Accused Of Stabbing Parents Deemed Fit For Trial
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The man accused of killing his parents in their home in Annadale, Staten Island is one step closer to going on trial.
Prosecutors announced on Thursday that Eric Bellucci, 31, is fit to stand trial after two more psychiatrists ruled he understands the charges against him and is able to aid in his own defense.
Prosecutors say Bellucci killed his parents in October and then fled to Israel.
He was arrested in the Tel Aviv airport while trying to buy a plane ticket to Beijing.
Bellucci's attorney, Mark Fonte, is investigating the psychiatric evaluation with his own doctors.
"I have my own psychiatrists who will review the reports and examine my client and make a determination whether or not we should confirm the report, meaning agree with its contents, or disagree and contest the findings," said Fonte.
"The two things that we look for in determining whether somebody is fit to stand trial is whether or not they could aid in their defense and whether or not they understand the charges against them," said Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan. "So today we moved to confirm the report where two psychiatrists from Mid-Hudson [Forensic Psychiatric Center] confirmed that Mr. Bellucci is fit to stand trial."
The defense will either contest or confirm the hospital's findings when the court revisits the case on Septemeber 8.