Competency hearing ordered for man accused of killing Dawn Fital

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Thu, Jun 30, 2011 : 3:40 p.m.

Gregory Noack

A court hearing in the case of a Pittsfield Township man accused of killing his girlfriend and disposing of her body in an Indiana pond was adjourned today so a hearing can be held to determine whether the man is competent to stand trial.

Gregory Noack, 44, who is charged with open murder in the death of 45-year-old Dawn Marie Fital, made a brief appearance this afternoon in 14A District Court.

Chief 14A District Judge Kirk Tabbey ordered that a competency hearing be held and set Noack's next court date for Aug. 30.

Dawn Fital

Noack is accused of killing Fital early June 13 at the Arbor Knoll apartment complex on Plum Hollow Drive, where he lived with her and her ex-husband. Investigators said Fital was bound, put in a suitcase and thrown into a retention pond behind a Toys 'R' Us store off Route 30 between Hobart and Merrillville, Ind. She was missing for three days before police found her body.

An autopsy found Fital died of asphyxiation and also had head trauma. Fital was a mother of four and competitive pool player.

Noack continues to be held without bond.