Editor’s note: This article has been edited to correct the day of Giaquinto’s most recent court appearance.
The 36-year-old man accused of vandalizing the Fort Collins Islamic Center south of Colorado State University’s campus in April will attend a rehabilitation clinic for post-traumatic stress in Wyoming next week.
Joseph Giaquinto made a court appearance while in custody at the Larimer County Jail on Friday, and a judge decided his bond would be modified to allow him to travel to Cheyenne for at least a five-week stay at an inpatient mental health program.
Giaquinto, a former Army medic, was arrested on allegations of felony criminal mischief and a misdemeanor hate crime after a security camera showed a man matching his description breaking a window at the Fort Collins mosque and tossing a Bible inside the building. He has missed two court appearances previously in this case, and was arrested on a failure to appear warrant in June and remained incarcerated with a cash, property or surety bail bond of $5,500 since.
Twafik AboEllail, president of the Fort Collins Islamic Center, argued against modifying Giaquinto’s bond in an address to 8th District Judge Julie Kunce Field at Tuesday’s hearing.
“I’m a little perplexed because we have been very lenient with Mr. Giaquinto, who has been given many chances, and he chose not to appear in court,” AboEllail said. “We would like the case to move forward and we would object to releasing him on bond.
AboEllail went on to imply Giaquinto’s veteran status may be keeping him from harsher treatment by the criminal justice system, treatment to which he suggested a Muslim person would be exposed.
“I hate to say this, but if the coin was flipped and one of us did this, I think the outcome would be very much different,” AboEllail said. “I say that with due respect. We wish him well, but the case needs to move forward.”
The rehabilitation program for which Giaquinto will be released on a $5,500 personal recognizance bond is offered through the Veteran Affairs Center in Cheyenne, Wyo.
“I think a slight modification of bond that allows for a window of opportunity to go to the program in Cheyenne would be most appropriate,” Field told Giaquinto. “If you don’t end up in Cheyenne and you squander this opportunity, the court would consider modifying your bond for an even higher amount.”
Giaquinto will be released from jail at 5 a.m. Tuesday to catch a shuttle to the rehabilitation center, where he will remain for five to seven weeks, said his defense attorney Heather Siegel.
His next court date was scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 10 but could be moved to a later date if he remains in treatment for post-traumatic stress.
A sentence involving Giaquinto’s participation in the Larimer County Wellness Court has been mentioned as part of a future plea deal, Siegel and Deputy District Attorney Brent Behler said.
The wellness court program gives offenders an alternative to jail that connects them with mental health and social services, therapy for individuals, families and groups provides court oversight.
Sam Lounsberry: 970-635-3630, slounsberry@prairiemountainmedia.com and twitter.com/samlounz.
