Man charged in pacemaker attack fit to stand trial

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) - A judge has found a Manchester man fit to stand trial on charges he cut his father's pacemaker from his chest using a pocketknife.

The Telegraph Herald in Dubuque says District Court Judge Monica Ackley ruled Monday that mental health evaluations prove Jesse Fierstine (FIRE'-stine) is mentally competent to be tried in the attack on his father.

Prosecutors say Fierstine attacked his father in 2009 and used a pocket knife to cut out his 63-year-old father's pacemaker.

Charles Fierstine recovered from the attack but died last year after a lengthy illness.

Jesse Fierstine is charged with attempted murder and willful injury. Trial has been set for June 8.

A telephone message left for Fierstine's attorney Monday wasn't immediately returned