NEW YORK – A New York man arrested in Israel after his parents were found dead in their Staten Island home was arraigned Monday on murder charges, just hours after their funeral.
Eric Bellucci, sporting a beard and longish hair, looked disheveled and disoriented during his court appearance. He walked slowly, and did not speak.
Defense attorney John Kelly asked that Bellucci be placed on suicide watch as a precaution. He did not enter a plea and is being held without bail.
Assistant District Attorney Kirstin Mitchell said authorities recovered a bloody weapon in the defendant's bedroom. He lived with his parents.
"His actions clearly demonstrate he is a flight risk," Mitchell said.
Arthur and Marian Bellucci were found stabbed to death Wednesday night in their home.
Their son was picked up Friday at the Tel Aviv airport after trying to buy a plane ticket to Beijing. His confused manner alerted a flight clerk, who notified security officials.
New York City police said previously that Bellucci suffered from schizophrenia.
His attorney would not discuss his client's medical condition.
"It's been an extraordinarily tragic situation," Kelly said outside the courthouse. Referring to the funeral, he added: "Today it's about his parents, about his sister, about his brother, the extended family and friends."
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