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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/05/tennis-coach-nick-philippoussis-has-stroke-in-us-jail-and-may-never-face-sexual-assault-trial
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Tennis coach Nick Philippoussis has stroke in US jail and may never face sexual assault trial | Tennis coach Nick Philippoussis has stroke in US jail and may never face sexual assault trial |
(about 1 month later) | |
Australian tennis coach Nick Philippoussis has suffered a massive stroke in a US jail and will likely never face trial for charges he sexual assaulted two young girls he trained in California. | Australian tennis coach Nick Philippoussis has suffered a massive stroke in a US jail and will likely never face trial for charges he sexual assaulted two young girls he trained in California. |
A San Diego judge was told on Thursday 68-year-old Philippoussis, the father of former world top 10 Australian player Mark Philippoussis, is catatonic after the stroke and has been held under guard and handcuffed to a bed in a public hospital for several months. | A San Diego judge was told on Thursday 68-year-old Philippoussis, the father of former world top 10 Australian player Mark Philippoussis, is catatonic after the stroke and has been held under guard and handcuffed to a bed in a public hospital for several months. |
Philippoussis Sr faced a maximum life in prison sentence if convicted of 14 charges relating to sexual assault of children under 10-years-old and lewd acts upon a child. The criminal case is now on hold pending his health. | Philippoussis Sr faced a maximum life in prison sentence if convicted of 14 charges relating to sexual assault of children under 10-years-old and lewd acts upon a child. The criminal case is now on hold pending his health. |
“He is conscious, but is not responding to any stimuli,” Philippoussis Sr’s lawyer Ryan Tegnelia said. “The best way to describe his state would be catatonic.” | “He is conscious, but is not responding to any stimuli,” Philippoussis Sr’s lawyer Ryan Tegnelia said. “The best way to describe his state would be catatonic.” |
The two alleged victims were nine years old and Philippoussis Sr allegedly assaulted them for almost a year in different locations including his car, home and a tennis complex. | The two alleged victims were nine years old and Philippoussis Sr allegedly assaulted them for almost a year in different locations including his car, home and a tennis complex. |
Philippoussis Sr had been held at San Diego County jail since his shock arrest during a morning raid on his San Diego home in July. | Philippoussis Sr had been held at San Diego County jail since his shock arrest during a morning raid on his San Diego home in July. |
He suffered the stroke in November at the jail, was transported to a public hospital and has been handcuffed to a bed and guarded by sheriff deputies. | He suffered the stroke in November at the jail, was transported to a public hospital and has been handcuffed to a bed and guarded by sheriff deputies. |
Tegnelia rejected speculation Philippoussis could be faking illness to avoid a trial and jail. | Tegnelia rejected speculation Philippoussis could be faking illness to avoid a trial and jail. |
“No one has accused him of trying to pull a fast one,” Tegnelia said. | “No one has accused him of trying to pull a fast one,” Tegnelia said. |
Philippoussis Sr has been kept in jail on $US9.2 million bail, but Tegnelia, with the support of prosecutors, successfully asked for the bail to be lifted and he be held on his own recognisance. | Philippoussis Sr has been kept in jail on $US9.2 million bail, but Tegnelia, with the support of prosecutors, successfully asked for the bail to be lifted and he be held on his own recognisance. |
This would halt the need for guards and handcuffs and allow his son and other family members to visit with fewer restrictions. | This would halt the need for guards and handcuffs and allow his son and other family members to visit with fewer restrictions. |
He will remain in hospital and his passport has been handed over to prosecutors. | He will remain in hospital and his passport has been handed over to prosecutors. |
Deputy district attorney Garret Wong said he had consulted the physicians caring for Philippoussis Sr and was told “his prognosis was poor”. “We felt he did not pose a threat to the public’s safety,” Wong said. | Deputy district attorney Garret Wong said he had consulted the physicians caring for Philippoussis Sr and was told “his prognosis was poor”. “We felt he did not pose a threat to the public’s safety,” Wong said. |
The alleged victims and their families were also briefed on Philippoussis Sr’s condition and told he was not a threat. | The alleged victims and their families were also briefed on Philippoussis Sr’s condition and told he was not a threat. |
A court hearing was scheduled for June to evaluate his condition. “We have been informed recovery is not very likely,” Tegnelia said. | A court hearing was scheduled for June to evaluate his condition. “We have been informed recovery is not very likely,” Tegnelia said. |
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