Psych assessment for accused park rapist

A man accused of raping, choking and nearly drowning a woman as she jogged in a Melbourne park will undergo a psychiatric assessment.

Joel Russo, 25, is charged with offences including 10 counts of rape, one of attempted rape and three of sexual assault at Merri Creek at Coburg on December 3 last year.

Russo - who has bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and an acquired brain injury and intellectual disability - is accused of holding the woman's head under water and choking her.

He will undergo two neuropsychological and psychiatric assessments, his lawyer told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.

The accused rapist appeared via video link and faces 17 offences, including reckless conduct endangering life and serious injury.

He remains in custody ahead of a further committal mention scheduled for June 5.