BRANDON, Vt. — A judge has declared Jozef Eller incompetent to stand trial for a violent attack in April that left Robert Barral, a well-known local chef, seriously injured. Eller, 32, was charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking Barral, 71, with a large knife at Cafe Provence, the restaurant Barral owns.
Barral described the confrontation as harrowing, recalling how he felt the intense rage emanating from Eller as he entered the restaurant with the weapon. “He was very enraged. You could see it in his face,” Barral said. In a desperate bid for self-defense, Barral physically engaged Eller, managing to momentarily disarm him.
The gruesome attack left Barral with multiple stab wounds, including one on his head. “His face was covered in charcoal, his hands were black as well. He was in a hunting mood. I was his prey,” Barral expressed, emphasizing the primal nature of the encounter.
Following the violent incident, Eller was apprehended by law enforcement near Rochester, about six hours later. Cafe Provence remained closed for several days as the community grappled with the aftermath.
Eller had worked under Barral as a sous chef for a decade, but their relationship deteriorated due to a series of troubling incidents that ultimately led to a no-trespass order. Barral noted that Eller’s behavior changed dramatically after he stopped taking prescribed medication. “When he was taking his medication, he was fine. Then one day, he decided not to take them anymore, and that’s when he went quickly down,” said Barral.
A recent court-ordered psychological evaluation prompted the judge’s conclusion about Eller’s competency, resulting in the decision to hold a hospitalization hearing while he remains in custody.
Despite the trauma, Barral insists he holds no resentment against his attacker. “No, I don’t relive that moment every day… I forgive him,” he stated. However, he voiced concerns about what Eller might do if released. “Even if we have a no-trespassing order, that didn’t stop him the last time,” Barral warned. “He came here with the intention of killing me; that was clear.”
The chef expressed gratitude for the community’s support during his recovery, acknowledging their encouragement has helped him regain the confidence to return to the kitchen. “I feel thankful for the community that rallied around me,” he shared, reflecting on the strength it provided in his journey back to normalcy.
As the legal process unfolds, the local community remains vigilant, grappling with the lingering effects of the attack and the questions it raises about safety and mental health.