By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

A Downingtown man who shocked the community in 1996 when he repeatedly stabbed his mother in the eye with an ice pick continues to suffer from “a severe mental disability” that requires continued involuntary treatment, a judge ruled on Thursday, April 17.

Dino B. Taraschi, 55, was committed to Norristown State Hospital in 1997 after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the psychotic, nonfatal attack of his mother in their Downingtown home. Since then he has been under court supervision and subject to regular review hearings.

Chester County Court Judge Edward Griffith issued Thursday’s order for another year of commitment after an agreement was reached among representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Taraschi’s attorney, Jenny Steinen. In the order, the judge states that Taraschi will continue to reside in a community rehabilitative residence (CRR) and receive outpatient treatment.

Taraschi may leave the CRR if the outing meets CRR regulations and he is accompanied by a family member, according to the agreement. While off-grounds unsupervised, Taraschi must check in with the CRR by phone every 20 minutes, the agreement says. “If Mr. Taraschi decompensates and is in need of hospitalization, he shall be returned to Norristown State Hospital unless other hospitalization is permitted by this court,” the agreement states.