Woman charged in St. Augustine stabbing due back in court after ruled competent
Share this @internewscast.com

Arieana Gibbs, aged 22, had previously been deemed unfit to stand trial in December. She is charged with multiple offenses following a stabbing incident that severely injured a priest.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A woman, 22, accused of stabbing a priest in St. Augustine in October 2024, is expected to appear in court again in August after being declared fit for trial, according to court documents. This follows an earlier ruling of incompetency in December.

Judge R. Lee Smith signed a court order on May 29, ruling Arieana Gibbs competent.

Gibbs is facing charges that include attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault using a deadly weapon, felony battery, burglary of a dwelling or conveyance, as well as petit theft, all linked to the attack on Father Matt Marino of Trinity Parish Church, which resulted in critical injuries.

On Oct. 23, 2024, the St. Augustine Police Department alerted the public of heavy police presence in the downtown area while they searched for a female suspect in the stabbing, later identified as Gibbs.

Police said the incident occurred around 8 a.m. near the intersection of San Marco and Rohde avenues. Gibbs was arrested around 10:30 a.m., a little further south in St. Johns County.

The police department said the attack appeared to be “random,” and that Gibbs and Marino did not know each other.

Marino spent six days in Jacksonville’s HCA Florida Memorial Hospital with a severed pulmonary artery and a collapsed lung. The Episcopal Diocese of Florida said Marino was stabbed while having coffee.

Gibbs was ruled incompetent back on Dec. 19, 2024. Smith signed a court order saying Gibbs has a mental illness that interferes with her ability to consult with her lawyer “with a reasonable degree of rational understanding.” Smith also said in the order that Gibbs has no “rational or factual understanding” of the court proceedings against her and that there is a “substantial likelihood” she would be a danger to herself or others without treatment.

In the May court order from Smith, the judge ruled Gibbs competent after reviewing a competency evaluation report from the Department of Children and Families. The order does not state when the follow-up evaluation on Gibbs was done.

Gibbs is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Aug. 14, according to court records.

Watch below First Coast News’ exclusive interview with Marino talking about the stabbing.


Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
US government is phasing out paper checks. Here's what that means for you

The U.S. Government is Ending Paper Checks: What You Need to Know

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government starts phasing out paper checks for…
Blue city felon with violent history arrested in deadly train platform stabbing after parole release: report

Violent Ex-Felon Recently Released on Parole Arrested for Fatal Stabbing at Train Platform, Report Says

Police and a local news report indicate that a paroled felon with…
Italy’s Meloni says Gaza flotilla risks escalation, could ‘blow up' potential ceasefire deal

Italy’s Meloni Warns Gaza Flotilla Could Endanger Ceasefire Negotiations

The Gaza-bound flotilla involving anti-Israel activists and celebrities, including Greta Thunberg, has…
SEC No Action Letter Signals Green Light for Innovation

SEC Greenlights Innovation with No Action Letter

In a notable advancement for the blockchain and decentralized tech industries, the…
Napheesa Collier torches WNBA leadership in exit interview

Napheesa Collier Criticizes WNBA Leadership in Candid Exit Interview

Collier, known for her candidness in championing players’ causes, criticized the current…
A Right Delayed Is a Right Denied: DOJ Suing LA County for Slow-Walking CCW Apps

Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied: DOJ Takes Legal Action Against LA County for Slow Processing of Concealed Carry Permit Applications

The Trump administration’s Justice Department is taking legal action against the Los…
'Dancing with the Stars' week 3 recap: Ballroom shocked by TikTok night elimination

‘Dancing with the Stars’ Week 3 Recap: TikTok Night Ends in Unexpected Elimination

TikTok took center stage in the ballroom Tuesday night during week three…
Massive telecom bust in major city is ‘wake-up call’ as foreign adversaries threaten US security: experts

Telecom Collapse in Major City Highlights Security Threats from Foreign Adversaries, Experts Warn

The U.S. Secret Service has recently taken down an extensive telecommunications network…
New Bears stadium renderings released, along with report on projected cost, economic impact of Arlington Heights, Illinois project

Renderings of New Bears Stadium Unveiled, Plus Cost and Economic Impact Report for Arlington Heights, Illinois

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) — We have received initial insights into the…
Man in wheelchair killed in crash on Jacksonville's Southside, JSO says

Fatal Accident Involving Wheelchair-Bound Man on Jacksonville’s Southside, According to JSO

A man in a wheelchair was killed in a traffic crash on…
Anti-Defamation League retires glossary of extremist groups after backlash for including Charlie Kirk's TPUSA

ADL withdraws extremist groups glossary following criticism for listing Charlie Kirk’s TPUSA

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently decided to pull its entire “Glossary of…
DOJ sues LA sheriff’s office in its first-ever gun-rights lawsuit over carry delays

LA Sheriff’s Office Faces DOJ’s First Gun-Rights Lawsuit Over Concealed Carry Delays

On Tuesday, the Justice Department initiated a lawsuit against the Los Angeles…