NORWICH – Friday a brief hearing for an accused 14-year-old attempted murderer took place in the City of Norwich Court. City Court Judge James Downey ordered a mental evaluation at the request of the defense.

Fourteen-year-old Ty A. Tumminia, Norwich, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder. The teen allegedly attacked his mother, 32, with a phone cord, strangling her to the point of unconsciousness, because she refused to allow him to visit his girlfriend living in Iowa.

Tumminia’s Public Defender Alan Gordon motioned to have the hearing adjourned so his client could undergo a full mental evaluation at Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center. However, Gordon made it clear to the court that Tumminia’s competency was not an issue and not the aim of the evaluation.

As a juvenile offender, Tumminia could face up to 3 1/3-to-10 years in prison if convicted of second degree attempted murder.