Suspect In Westport Stabbing Attack Placed On Suicide Watch

WESTPORT, CT — Ellis Tibere appeared in Norwalk Superior Court on Tuesday where his bond was kept at $1 million, and he was placed on suicide watch, in connection with his Monday arrest in a stabbing case in Westport.

Judge William Wenzel also recommended a competency evaluation of the 18-year-old Guilford resident at the request of his attorney, Wesley Mead.

"We do not believe he is able to assist in his defense at this time," Mead said in court, adding that Tibere might need hospitalization. "I'm very concerned for my client."

Tibere is accused of stabbing a 33-year-old Greenwich woman multiple times in the leg in the parking lot of New Beauty Wellness on the Post Road East in Westport, according to Westport police. The victim, who was hospitalized following the attack and was listed in stable condition Monday, lost a "significant amount of blood," according to a police report on the incident.

She was helped at the scene by witnesses who held towels on her legs in an attempt to stop the bleeding, police said.

Tibere has been charged with first-degree assault and possession of a deadly weapon, and police said that had he not been interrupted by a witness, he might have continued his attack.

"During an interview with detectives, Tibere admitted to sitting in the parking lot of New Beauty Wellness since 10am and stabbing the victim in the legs and arms an unknown amount of times," the police report reads. "Tibere stated that he only stopped because a male came out of the New Beauty Wellness spa."

In court on Tuesday, before Mead arrived, a public defender had requested a reduction in Tibere's bail from $1 million to $250,000, but Wenzel decided against a reduction.

Wenzel also required that Tibere surrender his passport and not have any contact with the victim or any witnesses.

The hearing was attended by Tibere's mother, Denise Paley, who appeared to cry during the proceeding.

Tibere reportedly is listed as an honors student at Guilford High School, and an unnamed neighbor told The Norwalk Hour that Tibere was mild-mannered and a model student.

The case was transferred to Stamford Superior Court where Tibere is scheduled to appear on Jan. 21.