Judge Mark Stedelin has found a 34-year-old CILA resident from a home on Schroeder Drive in Salem fit to stand trial on attempted murder, armed violence, and aggravated battery charges.
Tyler Watson was charged after allegedly stabbing an employee of the home multiple times while she was in a company vehicle outside the home.
Stedelin had asked for an evaluation of Watson during his first appearance on the charges in January.
Both prosecutors and Watson’s public defender stipulated to the findings of Dr. Cuneo in his evaluation. After hearing arguments on both sides he found Watson fit to stand trial and set a May 3rd preliminary hearing.
Watson remains in the Marion County Jail in lieu of a half-million dollars bond.
Salem Police say Watson exited the CILA home with a kitchen knife and proceeded to stab the employee numerous times. She was flown to a St. Louis Hospital for treatment of injuries.
The victim was eventually able to escape the property in the vehicle and called 911. However, as a result of serious injury she crashed her vehicle into the yard of a residence in the 500 block of Airport Road.
The two attempted murder and armed violence counts are all Class X felonies and the aggravated battery charge is a Class 3 felony.
