An eastern Illinois man has been charged with slashing the throat of a University of Illinois professor at a Champaign train station.

23-year-old Joshua Scaggs of Fithian faces attempted murder and aggravated battery charges. He has not entered a plea and is jailed on $500,000 bond. Scaggs fired his attorney during a Thursday hearing.

Authorities say Dhammika Dharmapala was attacked Wednesday. He is a law professor.

His condition was not available from a local hospital. Assistant State's Attorney Steve Ziegler said Dharmapala had a cut about 6 inches long and bled a great deal.

A witness told police Dharmapala was in a waiting area when another man jumped from a chair and shouted something about this being his country before attacking.