Waukegan man fit to stand trial on charge he attacked woman who rejected advances
A Waukegan man accused of attacking a woman who rejected his romantic advances has been deemed mentally fit to stand trial.
A February court filing argued there is a bona fide doubt of Varghese Philip's fitness, but after a round of testing, Judge Christopher Stride said Tuesday that doctors determined he could stand trial.
The judge though ordered an interpreter be present during all future court appearances to ensure Philip comprehends the proceedings.
Philip, 51, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of attempted murder and aggravated battery charges stemming from the June 21 attack on a Waukegan street. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains held in Lake County jail on $500,000 bail while awaiting trial.
Waukegan police said officers were called that night to an apartment complex on the 1600 block of Sunset Road for reports of a man attacking a woman with a weapon in the street. When they arrived, a woman in her early 30s was found unresponsive with her eyes swollen shut.
Philip later was identified as the attacker by witnesses, who told police he stomped on the woman's head multiple times and used a knife or dagger to try to cut off her hair, according to authorities. Police later recovered a box cutter they believed was used on the woman.
Authorities said Philip made romantic advances toward the woman before the attack, but she informed one of his family members that she was not interested in dating him.
Philip is scheduled to return to court Thursday.