Suspected mosque vandal might seek alternatives to prison

The man suspected of vandalizing the Islamic Center of Fort Collins might seek alternatives to prison meant for those with mental illness, his public defender said in court Tuesday. 

Joseph Giaquinto, 36, appeared at the Larimer County Justice Center wearing a white jumpsuit that indicates he is a low-risk inmate in custody who has special privileges to work in the jail.

He was arrested in late June after missing two court appearances while out on bail.

Giaquinto remains in custody with a $5,500 bond.

He faces charges of felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor bias motivated crime, the legal term for a hate crime, in connection with the March incident. Investigators say he admitted to throwing rocks and a Bible through the Islamic Center's glass doors, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

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Heather Siegel, Giaquinto's public defender, said she is considering referring him to the Eighth Judicial District Wellness Court. Wellness court is an option for defendants who have a severe and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or major depression. 

Siegel didn't elaborate on why she might seek wellness court for Giaquinto.

People referred to wellness court receive therapy and psychiatric treatment and undergo supervised probation rather than serving time in prison.

The district wellness court isn't currently accepting referrals because of a staffing issue, Eighth Judicial District Judge Julie Kunce Field said. The court is expected to accept referrals again sometime in September. 

Giaquinto will next appear in court Sept. 8.