Cole found to be competent for trial in attack at storage unit

A La Crosse man has been declared competent to go on trial for an alleged attack on a woman inside a south-side storage unit.

Freeman Cole was given a competency evaluation, and Judge Elliott Levine said Cole’s case can move ahead in court, with another hearing scheduled for Friday, January 5th. Cole faces six criminal charges, including attempted murder and false imprisonment.

The judge ruled last week that Cole “does not lack the capacity” to take part in court proceedings in the case.

Police say two people heard screaming inside a storage unit at Fiesta Court, back in October. When they opened the door, they reportedly found Cole beating the victim. The attacker ran away. Weeks later, Cole was arrested in Florida and was brought back to Wisconsin.