National Cathedral Green Paint Vandalism Suspect Admitted to Psych Ward

Next hearing scheduled for Sept. 18

A status hearing for the woman charged with defacing the Washington National Cathedral has been postponed due to her admission to a psychiatric ward.

Jia M. Tian, 58, is accused of splashing green paint in two different chapels in the cathedral. She is also suspected in similar acts of vandalism at other sites, including the Lincoln Memorial.

After her arrest at the cathedral in late July, a judge ordered Tian released to a halfway house. The judge ordered she wear an ankle monitoring bracelet and barred her from leaving the halfway house or having visitors.

But out of concern for her mental state, she was admitted to the psychiatric ward at Washington Hospital, her defense attorney told the court Thursday. Tian did not appear at the hearing.

Her next court date was scheduled for Sept. 18. It's hoped she will be well enough to attend.

Police and prosecutors also believe Tian is connected to recent vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial, a church and a statue outside the Smithsonian castle. Green or white paint was found at each location.

Tian has a Chinese passport. She had been traveling in Washington on a tourist visa that expired July 27.

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