UPDATE @ 11:14 a.m. (May 21):
Lenvil Persinger, 43, who police described as a "self-identified soverign citizen" pleaded no contest to felony charges in a plea deal that has the Piqua man avoiding trial.
Persinger pleaded no contest to attempted felonious assault and tampering with evidence charges in Miami County court Monday.
He is set for sentencing on July 2.
INITIAL REPORT (May 8):
A Miami County judge Monday found a Piqua man competent to stand trial in an alleged attack on a neighbor and standoff with police in January.
Lenvil Persinger, 43, faces charges of felony aggravated burglary, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.
Persinger was described by Piqua police as “a self-identified sovereign citizen."
He told Judge Christopher Gee at a previous hearing, "Clearly I’m sane," after his defense lawyer requested the competency evaluation.
Gee said Monday a clinical psychologist found Persinger did not suffer from mental illness or defect and was competent to stand trial
Persinger is accused of breaking into his neighbor’s apartment and assaulting a man after hearing a boyfriend and girlfriend arguing. Police said Persinger used nunchucks in the assault.
A trial is set to begin May 23, but public defender Steve King told Gee he might need more time to prepare the case.
Persinger is being held on $50,000 bail.