DAYTON — A man who attacked a security guard and blinded her will face a jury.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
James Fickling is accused of assaulting Gloria Courtney at a downtown Dayton building in October of 2023.
He appeared in court on Thursday.
His attorney told a judge it looks like there will be no plea deal.
Prosecutors said Fickling went into the former Premier Health building on Second Street and pulled a fire alarm.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 17-year-old arrested after alleged car theft, multi-jurisdictional police chase
- Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested by British police
- Man accused of driving in high-speed chase leading up to deadly crash facing charges
Courtney went to investigate, and that is when Fickling knocked Ficking down and then beat her unconscious, repeatedly jumping on her face with his knees.
The attack left her blind.
News Center 7 talked to Courtney about the attack in January 2024.
“I knew something was wrong the minute I laid eyes on him,” she said.
Courtney said Fickling removed his clothes and fought with her when she tried to usher him outside.
“I hit him over the head with my cannister, and he fell to the floor and almost immediately got back up,” she said. “He attacked me, and I struggled with him.”
She lost her eyesight and also suffered a skull fracture and cuts needing eight staples in her head.
Fickling’s trial is set to begin on March 2.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]