A bail hearing has been postponed for the second time in as many weeks for a 27-year-old Longueuil man charged in a vicious attack on his girlfriend by throwing acid on her.
Nikolas Stefanatos appeared in court this morning for barely a minute to re-schedule his hearing to later this month because his lawyer needed more time to prepare the case and to get more information on the condition of the victim.
Tanya St-Arnauld, 29, is recovering in hospital after she was splashed with acid on her face and body August 26. She suffered second and third degree burns to 20% of her body. She awoke from an induced coma Monday. Her family said she is undergoing skin grafts.
Her mother, Linda St-Arnauld, said her daughter is very weak, "like an infant," and scared that her suspected attacker will come and finish her off.
"She called me in the morning, asking me to tell her later how it went, because she's scared he'll get out," a tearful St-Arnauld said, her voice breaking.
"She thinks he's going to get out, to come for her later and kill her, that she doesn't know what's going on in his head."
Police say they believe the alleged attack stemmed from a fight between Stefanatos and St-Arnauld while he was in a fit of jealousy. He's charged with assault and aggravated assault, for a total of three charges.
During his brief court appearance, Stefanatos, on the verge of tears, looked at the floor while in the prisoner's dock. His right arm was heavily bandaged. His lawyer said he sustained injuries during the alleged attack and that he empathizes with the victim.
St-Arnauld's brother said he doesn't believe it and wasn't concerned that the bail hearing was postponed.
"They can postpone it as much as they want, he's still inside. He's still in jail, so I don't mind," Maxime Gosselin told reporters.
Gosselin said they've received $9,000 so far in donations for his sister from fundraising, friends, family and well-wishers.
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