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A 19-year-old man accused of stabbing a Vernon Hills woman more than 20 times outside of a Deer Park movie theater in January will be evaluated in jail by a court-funded psychologist prior to his next court appearance.
Daniel Dion, of Des Plaines, is being held without bail in Lake County Jail.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated battery for allegedly stabbing 24-year-old Katherine King, his date that evening, in her car outside of the movie theater.
During a case management hearing Thursday morning, Judge Daniel Shanes approved funding to have a psychologist interview Dion in jail and prepare a mental health evaluation.
“I’m willing to cooperate,” Dion told the judge when asked whether he would work with the psychologist if the funding is approved.
The funding was requested because Dion could not afford a privately-funded evaluation. Kasper said the approved funding currently has a cap of $1,000.
Shanes set Dion’s next court appearance for May 7, and told the defendant that the psychologist would probably visit him within the next week or two.
According to police and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Dion allegedly stabbed King more than 20 times because “she annoyed him.”
Dion was arrested shortly after officers arrived at the Century Theater, 21600 W. Field Parkway, about 8:45 p.m. Jan. 8.
Authorities said Dion admitted to police that he attacked the woman and stabbed her multiple times while inside her vehicle. He told investigators “he woke up in the morning with the intent to kill her because she annoyed him,” according to a Lake County Sheriff’s news release following the incident.
Officials said Dion arranged to meet with King under the “guise” of going on a date to the movie theater.
King, who suffered punctured lungs as well as cuts to her face and neck, was taken to the intensive care unit at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
She had been in critical condition prior to and after surgery, but has since recovered. She has attended Dion’s court appearances with family members.
Attempted first-degree murder is a Class X felony carrying a sentencing range of six to 30 years, which can be extended up to 60 years under certain aggravating circumstances.
Twitter @jimnewton5
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