69´«Ã½

John T. Netti, 24, who is accused of strangling a woman who was walking her dog near Rockingham Road the morning of Feb. 2, was before Judge Thomas Leone for a conference on Thursday. Netti is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder (a Class B felony) and criminal obstruction of breathing (a misdemeanor).

Netti's defense attorney, Rome Canzano, asked for his client's case to be adjourned pending an evaluation by a psychiatrist as part of a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, Cayuga 69´«Ã½ District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci told 69´«Ã½. 

Canzano argued that Netti was not mentally competent at the time of the alleged offense and did not have the intent to do it, Grome Antonacci said. Leone granted the evaluation request, but denied a request by Canzano that Netti be released on bail. He was remanded to the Cayuga 69´«Ã½ Jail.

Two psychiatrists determined earlier this year that Netti was not mentally fit to stand trial and he was placed in a secure mental health facility, Grome Antonacci said. He was then reevaluated earlier this month and determined to be able to proceed, so he was transferred to the jail. 

Netti allegedly jumped out of a parked dump utility trailer to attack the woman, according to the Cayuga 69´«Ã½ Sheriff's Office. She tried to get away, but Netti chased and started strangling her. A neighbor who saw the attack called 911 and began shouting, and Netti released the woman and fled on foot to the Highland Park Golf Course. He was found on the course and arrested. 

Netti had no previous connection to the victim, police said.