Gregory Frechette, 34, of Darlington, appeared in Lafayette County Circuit Court on Monday, Sept. 29 before Judge William Johnston, where it was ruled that Frechette is competent to go on with court proceedings.
    Judge Johnston read the report of the competency examination recently conducted on Frechette, in which the doctor who conducted the exam declared that it appears that Frechette has substantial mental capacity to understand the charges against him and contribute to his defense.
    Frechette appeared in court in person, along with his attorney, Frank Medina, who accepted the findings of the competency examination report, which was filed with the court on Sept. 26.
    A preliminary hearing was scheduled in Lafayette County Circuit Court for Frechette on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. 
    Frechette has been charged with first-degree attempted intentional homicide as well as one count of strangulation and suffocation. The charges stem from an event on Aug. 16 during which Frechette allegedly attempted to kill his girlfriend by strangling her and suffocating her with a pillow.
    Frechette is currently being housed in the Lafayette County Jail on a $75,000 bond.