A competency hearing scheduled Thursday for a man accused of severely injuring an Avon Park woman was continued to Oct. 1.
Paul Dian Hamilton, 34, is charged with attempted second-degree murder with a weapon. A competency hearing is held to make sure the defendant understands the charges against him or her and is able to help counsel in preparing a defense.
In February 2008, Hamilton allegedly attacked the victim with a "machete-type instrument" in a driveway near the 400 block of West Hall Street in Avon Park. Investigators thought the two may have been in relationship and lived together.
The woman suffered severe cuts to her head and chest and underwent surgery to try and repair nerve damage she suffered to her hands, according to a Feb. 16, 2008 Highlands Today report.
Avon Park Police Cmdr. Michael Rowan said at the time that doctors were unsure whether the victim would ever have full use of her hands again.

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