Homeless man found unfit to stand trial for fatal stabbing of Thomas Sawyer in 2015 at Uptown bus shelter

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:34:24 -0500

By JORDAN OWEN and RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Ross Feiwell | Chicago Police

A homeless man who allegedly stabbed Thomas Sawyer man to death last year in Uptown has been found unfit to stand trial.

Ross Feiwell, 59, was charged with first-degree murder for the June 14, 2015, stabbing death of 49-year-old Thomas Sawyer, authorities said at the time.

Feiwell was setting up his makeshift “house” in a bus shelter in the 4400 block of North Broadway when Sawyer approached with a wooden pole, prosecutors said. Feiwell, armed with a metal chain, warned Sawyer to “steer clear” before the two men started fighting around the bus shelter.

After Feiwell was able to move the wooden stick away from Sawyer, he allegedly stabbed him in the neck. Feiwell then hit Sawyer with the stick while he was on the ground lying in a pool of blood, prosecutors said.

Feiwell wiped the blood from the knife and put the knife in his suitcase, prosecutors said. Police arrived and recovered all the weapons and a bloody rag, he said.

The incident was caught on surveillance cameras from a Target store in the 4400 block of North Broadway, according to prosecutors.

“I was protecting my house,” Feiwell allegedly told police. “He was going to piss in my house.”

At his bond hearing last year, Feiwell said the “Illuminati” are after him and wanted a Rabbi to help him. “I will be judged by a higher power,” Feiwell told the judge.

He also sokes of Anita Hill and Kathy Bates’ performances in the film “Misery”; and accused an assistant public defender of being the devil and a member of the Illuminati.

Feiwell was convicted of attempted murder in 1986 for hitting a house guest with a hatchet and trying to strangle him. He was also convicted of trying to escape from custody while awaiting trial on that case.

When prosecutors detailed how Feiwell attacked the victim and stole his Cadillac, Rolex watch and $200, Feiwell screamed out, “It was a homosexual sex game!”

Judge Thomas Hennelly found Feiwell unfit to stand trial at a hearing Thursday. He was remanded to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services, according to Cook County court records.

Homeless man charged with fatal stabbing of Thomas Sawyer during fight in Uptown

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 14:02:09 -0500

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A homeless man told police he stabbed to death Thomas Sawyer to death because he thought the other homeless man was going to urinate in his makeshift home in an Uptown bus shelter, Cook County prosecutors said.

Ross Feiwell, who stumbled into court mumbling to himself Tuesday, was caught killing Sawyer, 49, on surveillance cameras from a Target store in the 4400 block of North Broadway, Assistant State's Attorney Enrique Abraham said.

"Lies," Feiwell, 58, said as Abraham described how Feiwell allegedly killed his rival Sunday night.

Ross Feiwell | Chicago Police

Feiwell was setting up his "house" when Sawyer approached him with a wooden pole, Abraham said.

Feiwell, armed with a metal chain, warned Sawyer to "steer clear" before the two men started fighting around the bus shelter, Abraham said.

Feiwell wiped the blood from the knife and put the knife in his suitcase, Abraham said. Police arrived and recovered all the weapons and a bloody rag, he said.

"I was protecting my house," Feiwell allegedly told police. "He was going to piss in my house."

Feiwell was convicted of attempted murder in 1986 for hitting a house guest with a hatchet and trying to strangle him. He also was convicted of trying to escape from custody while awaiting for trial on that case.

When Abraham detailed how Feiwell attacked his previous victim and stole his Cadillac, Rolex watch and $200, Feiwell screamed out, "It was a homosexual sex game!"

Feiwell, who was dressed in a paper gown, believes the "Illuminati" are after him and is seeking a Rabbi to help him, assistant public defender Marijane Placek said.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered Feiwell held without bail. The judge also ordered Feiwell be treated at Cermak Hospital while in custody. "I will be judged by a higher power," Feiwell told Bourgeois.

Feiwell also made a mention of Anita Hill and Kathy Bates' performance in the film "Misery."

As he was being led away by sheriff's deputies after his hearing, Feiwell accused another assistant public defender of being the devil and a member of the Illuminati.

Ross Feiwell | Homicide Watch Chicago

Homeless man found unfit to stand trial for fatal stabbing of Thomas Sawyer in 2015 at Uptown bus shelter

Homeless man charged with fatal stabbing of Thomas Sawyer during fight in Uptown