A Rock Springs man accused of stabbing out his landlord’s eye with pliers two winters ago as the landlord tried to check his home’s pipes is headed to trial in three weeks, court documents say.

Robert Wayne Downum, 58, faces one count of aggravated assault, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

His jury trial is set to begin Oct. 13 in Sweetwater County District Court.

That’s after nearly two years of pending and active prosecution, including hiatuses in the case to let professionals evaluate Downum’s mental health.

It’s unclear what Downum’s trial strategy will be.

Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe confirmed Tuesday that Downum pleaded “not guilty by reason of mental illness” (NGMI) at his arraignment, but said an additional, “not guilty” pl

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