MONTREAL — A Quebec judge has ruled that Sergio Yanes Preciado is not criminally responsible for an August 8 attack on a Hasidic father in a Montreal park, after a psychiatric evaluation concluded he was in a psychotic state at the time.
The assault was captured on video and widely circulated. The footage showed the attacker spraying the victim with liquid, pushing him to the ground, and punching him while the man’s young children watched. The victim’s kippah was tossed during the incident.
This is beyond deplorable — it is an outrage against basic human decency. In the heart of Montreal, a Jewish father is savagely beaten in front of his children. This is the Canada that Mark Carney has allowed to fester — a place where weakness in leadership has emboldened… pic.twitter.com/ak9IdZyXvw
— Mayor Jeremy Levi (@jerlevi) August 8, 2025
The judge’s ruling followed a 30-day psychiatric evaluation at the Philippe Pinel Institute. The evaluation concluded Yanes Preciado was suffering from a mental disorder and was incapable of knowing his actions were wrong at the time. Prosecutors said the report made it unlikely the attack was motivated by hate.
Yanes Preciado remains detained at the Montreal General Hospital under psychiatric care. He was originally charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm. The not criminally responsible finding does not amount to an acquittal. The matter will now proceed to the Mental Disorders Examination Commission for review of potential release and conditions.
The assault drew sharp public condemnation when the video first emerged. National and provincial leaders denounced the attack at the time as horrific and abhorrent. Jewish community groups and security organizations said the incident heightened anxieties about violence against visibly Jewish people.
Community leaders said they welcomed a careful psychiatric review but stressed the need for vigilance and support for victims. They also urged continued monitoring of antisemitic incidents in the city and clear communication from authorities about how such cases are classified and handled.
The court ordered that Yanes Preciado not communicate with the victim and his family. Investigators and public officials said they will continue to follow administrative and legal procedures tied to mental health detentions and public safety.
This article is based on verified information from Global News via The Canadian Press, CityNews Montreal, Ynet, VINnews, and other regional reporting.