Manchester man accused of cutting out father's pacemaker is competent to stand trial

A 33-year-old man accused of cutting out his father's pacemaker from his chest in 2009 has been found competent to stand trial, his attorney said Monday.

Cedar Rapids Attorney Mike Lahammer said the results of the evaluation for Jesse Fierstine, of rural Manchester, were released to the attorneys last Friday.

In September, the judge ordered the competency evaluation because there were conflicting results in the three previous evaluations. First Judcial District Judge Monica Ackley suspended court proceedings until the fourth evaluation by state professionals could be completed.

Lahammer said a new trial date will be set for some time in March.

Fierstine, charged with attempted murder and willful injury, is accused of trying to cut the pacemaker from his father's chest during an argument in April 2009.

Prosecutors said he hit Charles Fierstine, 63, in the head with a flashlight and a piece of firewood before using a pocketknife to cut the pacemaker from his chest, leaving a gash 6 1/2 inches long and 3/4 of an inch wide. The assault happened during an argument in April 2009. Deputies found wires protruding from his father's chest when they arrived.

Fierstine's relatives told The Gazette after his arrest that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was not taking his medication at the time of this incident.

Charles Fierstine, who recovered from the assault after treatment at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, died last year.