It’s been revealed that Australian tennis coach Nick Philippoussis suffered a massive stroke in a U.S. jail, and will likely never face trial on charges he sexually assaulted two young girls.
He has been incarcerated since July 2017, when he was charged with 14 offences – including child sex abuse against two nine-year-old girls he coached – and was unable to make the $US9.2 million ($A12.9 million) in bail. He pled not-guilty to all charges.
He was scheduled to appear in a San Diego court in mid-November last year, but was unable to make it after being hospitalised a month earlier.
“Mr Philippoussis is in the hospital right now so he was not produced [in court],” his lawyer Ryan Tegnelia said at the time. “Beyond that I can’t get into the how and why.”
His court appearance had been rescheduled for January 4. Today, Tegnelia told Judge Michael Washington that Philippoussis suffered a massive stroke that left him in a “catatonic state”.
“[He’s] conscious but unresponsive,” said Tegnelia, adding that he’s “not expected to recover anytime soon, if ever.”
Washington today agreed to lift Philippoussis’ bail and grant his release from custody. Due to his condition he’ll likely remain in constant medical care, but the decision means that his shackles will be removed, he’ll no longer be under guard, and his family will be able to visit more regularly.
His hearing date has been pushed back by six months to asses his health.
