St. Thomas law student in medically induced coma after fall in Rome

St. Thomas law student Ricky DeMello, who has been in an Italian hospital since early July, has responded to some stimuli after his fall out of a window at the John Cabot University campus in Rome.

The Bulletin reported that DeMello, 23, of St. Louis Park, has undergone multiple surgeries and was in “critical but stable condition” as of July 12.

The cause of the fall remains unknown.

DeMello is one of 40 students from the St. Thomas and Villanova University law schools in a joint study-abroad program in Rome.

According to DeMello’s CaringBridge website, he remains in a medically induced coma but is responding to stimuli with his eyes.

Doug Hennes, vice president of university relations, declined to comment further on the incident saying that DeMello’s family “asks the St. Thomas community to keep Ricky in its prayers.”

“We are respecting the family’s wishes for privacy,” Hennes said.

Alex Goering can be reached at goer8777@stthomas.edu.