The man accused of stabbing his sister in Shelton last October will likely face a trial in February.
Toai Nguyen is expected pursue a defense at trial that he is not guilty by reason of insanity. He is being represented by Public Defender Kenneth Bunker.
Nguyen appeared briefly at Superior Court in Milford Wednesday (Nov. 30) and his case was continued until Jan. 31.
At his next court date, Judge Richard Arnold expects to schedule his trial, to take place sometime in February.
Over the past several months, the state prosecutors office has been reviewing psychiatric reviews for Nguyen, including a substance abuse evaluation.
The evaluations will likely become part of the record in the form of testimony during the trial.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Stango said he expects the trial to be “brief.”
Nguyen is accused of stabbing his sister in their Maple Street apartment in October 2010. According to police, he used a knife to slash her throat.
She managed to fight him off and run from the apartment.
Nguyen, who faces a felony charge of first-degree assault, has a history of mental illness. In 2008, he badly beat his father using the Club, an anti-theft device used on car steering wheels. He served time in prison and was released in 2010.
According to police, Nguyen entered the U.S. without documentation. Authorities tried to deport him after he attacked his father. Officials in Vietnam refused to take him.