Road-rage suspect OK'd for trial in shooting
Christian Squillaciotti, the South Philadelphia man accused of critically injuring another man on the Schuylkill Expressway earlier this month in a road-rage shooting, has been deemed mentally competent to face a preliminary hearing.
Christian Squillaciotti, the South Philadelphia man accused of critically injuring another man on the Schuylkill Expressway earlier this month in a road-rage shooting, has been deemed mentally competent to face a preliminary hearing.
Nonetheless, Squillaciotti, 33, was found to suffer from mental-health issues and yesterday was ordered to be committed to Norristown State Hospital for treatment.
The ruling by Municipal Judge Marsha Neifield followed the recommendations of a court-ordered psychiatrist, said public defender Gregg Blender.
Blender said after the court proceeding that psychiatrist Robert Stanton had evaluated two things: Squillaciotti's competency and his "committability." Stanton found that Squillaciotti is legally competent, meaning he understands the charges he faces and has the ability to assist in his own defense, Blender said.
On the other hand, "because of his alleged behavior to others," Squillaciotti was also found to be suffering from mental illness, the defense attorney said.
Squillaciotti is accused of shooting Thomas Timko, 41, of Gloucester Township, Camden County, in the side of the head as both men were driving west on the expressway, near the Passyunk Avenue exit, about 8:40 p.m. Oct. 5.
Timko yesterday remained at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His family has asked that no additional information be released on his condition, a HUP spokeswoman said.
Police have said that Timko may have inadvertently cut off Squillaciotti after the two men crossed the Walt Whitman Bridge into Philadelphia that night.
Squillaciotti, said to have been driving a Ford pickup, allegedly fired at least four shots at Timko's Toyota after the two men exchanged angry gestures.
After being shot, Timko managed to pull his car to the roadside, where his 8-year-old daughter, who was not injured, flagged down other drivers for help.
Squillaciotti faces a Dec. 15 preliminary hearing on charges of attempted murder and related offenses, Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lipscomb said. *
