Des Plaines man will use insanity defense in attack outside theater
A Des Plaines man accused of repeatedly stabbing and slashing a co-worker outside the Deer Park movie theater earlier this year will use an insanity defense, his lawyer said in court Thursday.
Attorney Ian Kasper said he turned over a mental health evaluation of Daniel Dion, 19, to prosecutors Thursday and, based on the report, plans to file a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Lauren Kalcheim Rothenberg said she would need time to review the evaluation and line up experts to rebut the findings.
The two sides are due back in court for a status hearing Sept. 22.
Dion, who is held in Lake County jail on no bond, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place. The charges allege he stabbed Katherine M. King, 24, more than 20 times in the face and neck with a 4-inch serrated blade.
Authorities said Dion arranged to meet King on Jan. 8 at the Century Theater in Deer Park under the ruse he wanted to go to a movie with her. Dion later told police he intended to kill King because "she annoyed him," authorities said.
According to authorities, Dion repeatedly stabbed King in a car in the parking lot. The Vernon Hills woman was able to escape the vehicle and run into the theater for help, police said. She was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights with two punctured lungs and more than 20 slash and stab wounds, authorities said.
Dion was taken into custody outside the movie theater then transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington for treatment of cuts to his hands. He later was taken to the Lake County Sheriff's office, where he confessed to the attack, authorities say.
He faces up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of attempted murder, and up to 15 years in prison if convicted on any of the three aggravated battery charges.
Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes has not set a trial date in the case because he has been waiting for the mental health reports.