LISBON — A man accused of attempted murder in a baseball bat attack against a woman last June was found competent to stand trial and found apparently sane, with a new status hearing set for 1:30 p.m. Jan. 16.

Frederick L. Harroff, 66, last known address Columbiana Lisbon Road, Columbiana, appeared Thursday for a status hearing accompanied by his defense attorney Robert Bricker, and in the custody of sheriff’s deputies.

He remains jailed under a $500,000 cash or surety bond, but the prosecution’s request to revoke the bond due to alleged violations of the terms will be argued at the status hearing next week.

Harroff was indicted for charges of first-degree felony attempted murder, first-degree felony aggravated arson, first-degree felony kidnapping, second-degree felonies of aggravated arson and two counts of felonious assault and fourth-degree felony strangulation.

According to an affidavit filed in county Municipal Court, Harroff allegedly repeatedly attacked the woman with a heavy wooden baseball bat over her head and body while she was lying in bed, causing severe physical harm on June 2, 2025 in Fairfield Township.

One of the aggravated arson charges dealt with trying to harm the woman and the other dealt with trying to harm the property.

During the recent hearing, Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam adopted both reports issued by the Forensic Psychiatric Center of Northeast Ohio, with one finding Harroff competent and the other regarding his sanity at the time of the offense saying that he did not present with symptoms of mental defect.

The evaluations had been requested by defense attorney Robert Bricker, who’s representing Harroff, and had filed a motion for Harroff to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. When asked by Washam if he planned to ask for a second evaluation, Bricker indicated he needed time to review the reports for the initial evaluations. He then requested another status hearing.

The jury trial is currently set for Feb. 2.

County Assistant Prosecutor Alec Beech had asked about using the trial date as the next status hearing, but Washam opted for the upcoming date next week. Washam also said the motion filed by the state to revoke the bond can be argued at that hearing. To have someone held without bond, certain conditions must be met.

Beech noted that after the judge admonished the defendant for contacting the victim, the contact continued. Washam addressed Harroff and told him that any further contact with the alleged victim may subject him to further criminal prosecution.

In the motion to revoke bond, Beech cited multiple dates when the defendant, while in jail, wrote to the victim starting Sept. 4, 2025. The addressee and return address were altered, but the contents clearly indicated the letter was from the defendant and intended for the victim. The jail personnel started monitoring his mail in an effort to prevent future contacts with the victim. A second letter was sent to the victim on Sept. 12, 2025.

“The letters are clear violations of the defendant’s bond conditions. Further, the contents appear to be disturbing, cryptic ramblings. Unsurprisingly, the letters caused additional stress, anxiety and concern to the victim,” the motion said.

During a hearing on Sept. 24, 2025, the judge told the defendant to have no contact with the victim and was warned that continuing contact could result in additional prosecution.

On Dec. 5, 2025, the prosecution was notified that jail staff seized two additional letters before they left the jail.

The first-degree felony charges all carry possible penalties of three to 11 years in prison and the second-degree felonies carry possibly penalties of two to eight years.

mgreier@mojonews.com