Antisemitic Attacker Found Mentally Incompetent To Stand Trial: Court

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A man accused of attacking a Jewish couple in their 70s in Beverly Hills last month has been found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Jarris Jay Silagi, 44, is charged with elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted robbery, as well as two counts of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. He's also accused of a hate crime and personally inflicting great bodily injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Silagi is accused of attempting the rob the woman and attacking the man with a belt. The couple were on their way to temple to celebrate Shabbat and the man was wearing a yarmulke when Silagi struck him on the head, according to authorities.

Silagi's attorney entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client last month because Silagi refused to leave his jail cell, ABC 7 reported.

Silagi's attorney initiated a process to determine his client's mental competency; criminal proceedings were suspected pending an evaluation of Silagi, Deputy District Attorney Paul Kim said.

The court found him mentally incompetent on Jan. 17. A placement hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7, according to the DA's office.

City News Service contributed to this report.