The John Zanolli murder trial, which was supposed to start Sept. 15 has been postponed. Zanolli’s attorneys asked for a continuance because of physical and mental health issues with their client and requested that a competency evaluation be conducted on Zanolli.

Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean O’Brien continued the trial with an order posted Sept. 11; he set a Nov. 12 status conference.

Zanolli, 61, stands accused of aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse in the death of his sister, Janice Zanolli, 65, in the home they shared in Masury. Janice Zanolli had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, Brookfield police said.

In the motion for continuance filed Sept. 8, Public Defender Ross Smith said he had just learned Zanolli had been taken to a hospital for a surgical procedure.

Zanolli “has a previously undiagnosed diabetes condition and that condition has caused a surgical procedure to amputate an appendage,” Smith said.

Zanolli was in “severe pain” because of the surgery, Smith said.

The defense needs time to assess Zanolli’s physical and mental health, Smith said.

In regards to Zanolli’s mental health, Smith has asked for a competency evaluation and permission to file a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. According to Smith, Zanolli “may have been in the throes of a mental breakdown at the time of the alleged offense.”

Brookfield police said they discovered Janice Zanolli’s body at home on March 1 while conducting a welfare check. John Zanolli was found in the home with a gun to his head and was arrested after 30 minutes of negotiation and police firing Tasers at him, police said.

Police said they believe Janice Zanolli had been killed Feb. 26.

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