Posted Tuesday, July 17, 2012 --- 8:45 a.m.

ASHLAND, Wis. (AP) -- A man accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend with a camping saw has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease in Ashland County Circuit Court.

Sylvester Works is accused of using the saw to cut the neck of Jenilee Scribner of Ashland last March in an assault that an emergency doctor said came within millimeters of severing her jugular vein.

The 35-year-old Hurley man is being held on $50,000 cash bond on five felony charges, including attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Works' public defender, Mark Perrine, requested a substitute judge in court Monday.

The Ashland Daily Press (http://bit.ly/MBZ8so ) reports the case will be assigned to a different judge who will set the date for Works' next appearance.

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Information from: The Daily Press, http://www.ashlandwi.com

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.