A 59-year-old man charged in connection with an alleged assault at a New Bedford church has been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation following an outburst in court.
Jose Nascimento is accused of punching and striking a priest with a beer can at Mount Carmel Church earlier this week.
Nascimento’s initial arraignment was postponed Tuesday after he began shouting profanities and had to be escorted from the courtroom.
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On Wednesday, a judge ordered Nascimento to undergo further evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital for up to 20 days. An expert opinion cited concerns that Nascimento lacked behavioral control and did not understand the events taking place at the time.
Nascimento is expected to return to court later this month.
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