Accused to stand trial in stabbing
Hatfield man is accused of stabbing his girlfriend
NORRISTOWN >> A Hatfield man accused of stabbing his onetime girlfriend and then fleeing the scene naked and covered in blood is competent to proceed to a preliminary hearing on attempted murder charges, a judge has ruled.
John S. Roman, 61, formerly of the 700 block of Bethlehem Pike, after several months of mental health evaluations, “is competent to stand trial” on charges in connection with the alleged Jan. 30, 2018, incident, Montgomery County Judge Todd D. Eisenberg wrote in a court order dated July 12.
The judge said Roman’s commitment to the Norristown State Hospital is vacated and he lifted a previously ordered stay of the court proceedings. Eisenberg ordered county sheriff’s deputies to transfer
Roman to the county jail in Lower Providence to await further court action.
Roman now faces an Aug. 27 preliminary hearing before District Court Judge Andrea Hudak Duffy of Montgomeryville on charges of attempted murder, aggravated and simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, possessing an instrument
of crime, making terroristic threats, resisting arrest and indecent exposure, according to court records.
In making his decision, the judge relied on a recent mental health evaluation report issued by a doctor with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, according to court papers. Roman previously was deemed incompetent
to proceed to trial and underwent mental health treatment as defined under the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act.
The judge said Roman’s bail will remain set at $500,000 cash.
An investigation began about 6 p.m. Jan. 30, 2018, when Hatfield police officers were dispatched to Roman’s residence for
a report of a disturbance. When officers arrived, they found the victim, a 55-yearold woman, who had been stabbed multiple times inside the residence.
Police said the investigation determined Roman, who they described as the victim’s live-in boyfriend, had stabbed her repeatedly and then fled on foot.
Officers subsequently
found Roman running southbound on Bethlehem Pike, unclothed and “covered in blood,” according to police. After a brief struggle with officers, Roman was taken into custody.
The victim was transported by medical helicopter to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment of her injuries and initially was hospitalized in critical condition.