PITTSBURGH — A judge has reversed his own ruling and ordered a teenage boy awaiting trial in a Pennsylvania high school stabbing rampage to remain in a juvenile detention center and receive mental health treatment there.
Westmoreland County Judge Christopher Feliciani changed his ruling Tuesday because he and the attorney for Alex Hribal could not find a secure mental hospital willing to treat the boy, either because he is a minor or because of the security risks involved.
Hribal, of Murrysville, who turned 17 last week, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and a school weapons violation for stabbing 20 students and a security guard at Franklin Regional High School on April 9. All the stabbing victims survived, although four were critically injured at the time. The school is about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh, and the court where Feliciani is based is about 30 miles east of the city.
Thomassey acknowledged the boy committed the crimes using two 8-inch kitchen knives he took from home, but he said Hribal has mental issues that need to be addressed at a hospital. Instead, two doctors will treat the boy while he remains at the county's detention center.
Feliciani had ordered Hribal moved to a mental hospital after a four-hour hearing Sept. 26. At the hearing, two psychological experts hired by the defense testified the boy may be developing schizophrenia and needs intensive, ongoing, inpatient mental health treatment.