People v. Schoreck
Opinion
No. 2--06--0452 Filed: 8-15-08 ______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
SECOND DISTRICT ______________________________________________________________________________
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE ) Appeal from the Circuit Court OF ILLINOIS, ) of Winnebago County. ) Plaintiff-Appellee, ) ) v. ) No. 05--CF--2916 ) CHARLES I. SCHORECK, JR., ) Honorable ) Joseph G. McGraw, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, Presiding. ______________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE O'MALLEY delivered the opinion of the court:
Defendant, Charles I. Schoreck, Jr., appeals his conviction of aggravated battery (720 ILCS
5/12--4(b)(1) (West 2004)), arguing that: (1) the trial court abused its discretion in concluding that
the State, at a January 2006 fitness hearing, proved him fit to stand trial; and (2) the trial court did
not engage defendant in a colloquy adequate to insure that his waiver of his right to present an
insanity defense was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. We hold that the trial court's finding of
fitness at the January 2006 hearing was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Alternatively,
we hold that the trial court erred in not sua sponte holding another fitness hearing when further
doubts of defendant's fitness arose at trial and sentencing. Accordingly, we reverse and remand.
BACKGROUND No. 2--06--0452
In October 2005, defendant was charged with aggravated battery for allegedly beating his
father, Charles Schoreck, Sr. (Charles Sr.), with a garden hose. The trial court granted defense
counsel's motion for appointment of a psychologist to determine whether defendant was fit to stand
trial. The trial court appointed Dr. Robert L. Meyer to evaluate defendant. Dr. Meyer evaluated
defendant on October 21, 2005, and released his report on November 11, 2005. Dr. Meyer wrote in
relevant part:
"Background Information:
*** [D]efendant denies that he has had any past medical health treatments. He denies
that he has had [sic] been on any form of psychotropic medication. He does admit, however,
that he has been evaluated by a psychiatrist on many occasions following domestic
disagreements. [Defendant] generally was quite guarded and would provide little in the way
of detailed clinical history.
Behavioral Observations & Mental Status:
*** Examination of [defendant's] mental status did not suggest any perceptual
disturbances nor was there any indication of first rank symptoms in the form [of] thought
insertion, thought control, and thought broadcasting. However, in this examiner's opinion[,]
[defendant's] thinking was quite delusional ***. *** [A]s the interview proceeded
[defendant's] agitation increased as well as [his] delusional statements. [Defendant] spoke
about a conspiracy of his neighbors in compliance with the Rockford Police who are
essentially harassing him. He spoke about police officers being paid off by the mob and that
informants would be murdered or have their eyes removed. He indicates that he has had
-2- No. 2--06--0452
difficulties with the police, his neighbors, and the mob since 1978. [Defendant's] emotional
demeanor could only be described as extremely agitated.
While no formal assessment of [defendant's] intellectual abilities [was] conducted,
he
appeared to [be] of [sic] grossly average in his intellectual abilities and there did not appear
to be any significant impairment in his recent or remote memory.
Understanding of the Legal Situation:
[Defendant] can state the charges which led to his arrest and can provide the story
surrounding the circumstances. [Defendant] does have understanding of the players and their
responsibilities in court. For instance, he reported the judge is to decide whether one is guilty
or not. [Defendant], however, rather cynically reported that he would not be surprised if the
judge was also being paid off by the mob. He understood the [S]tate's [A]ttorney was there
to attempt to prove one guilty. He reported witnesses are there only after they have been
harassed by the cops, stating they are supposed to tell the truth, but they would not, because
the police will harass them and possibly kill them. When asked the role of plea-bargaining,
he reported it is to degrade oneself and admit wrongdoing. He understood that he had the
right to refuse or accept the negotiated plea. He appears to understand other rights as well
including his right to remain silent and his right to face his accusers.
[Defendant] understands he has a public defender and attorney representing [him].
[H]e did report the responsibilities of his public defender are to defend him.
Summary & Conclusions:
[Defendant][,] in this examiner's opinion[,] is suffering from a delusional disorder,
-3- No. 2--06--0452
NOS. He believes there is an elaborate conspiracy between his neighbors[] [and] police,
including judges and public officials[.] Although he has an understanding of the players and
their responsibility in the courtroom and general legal processes, because of his delusional
thinking, it is this examiner's opinion that [defendant] would be incapable of making a
rational decision and maintaining it over time. He would be incapable of communicating
meaningfully in general[,] and specifically with his attorney[,] and clearly would be
incapable of knowingly, willingly, or knowledgeably entering into plea negotiation. As such,
it is this examiner's opinion that [defendant] is adjudicatively incompetent [and] unfit to
stand trial. Due to the nature of [defendant's] charge and his agitated state, it is this
examiner's opinion that [defendant] is in need of a secured inpatient treatment center, where
with use of targeted psychotropic medication and psychoeducation services [he] should be
restored to fitness within 90 days."
Based on the report, defense counsel moved for a fitness hearing. The State did not oppose
the motion and stated that it did not intend to retain its own expert.
The fitness hearing was held on January 16, 2006. Prior to the hearing, defense counsel
noted that defendant himself disputed Dr. Meyer's finding of unfitness but that the defense would
nonetheless proceed with the hearing. In lieu of Dr. Meyer's appearance, the parties stipulated that
he would testify consistently with his report. The court accepted the stipulation, and the defense
presented its sole witness, defendant.
Defendant testified that he lives in Rockford with Charles Sr., who is 80 years old.
Defendant acknowledged that he was charged with aggravated battery against Charles Sr. Defendant
testified that the police "said [he] struck [his] father with a hose in the backyard." Defendant denied
-4- No. 2--06--0452
the allegation. Defendant testified that Charles Sr. had been watering with a hose outside their home
when he inadvertently directed the water into the basement and electrocuted defendant. Defendant
testified that he took the water hose from Charles Sr. but did not strike him with it.
Defendant testified that he met with Dr. Meyer in October 2005. Defendant claimed that the
meeting "lasted five minutes at the most." Dr. Meyer asked defendant only three questions,
regarding the respective roles of the judge, the State's Attorney, and the public defender.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
No. 2--06--0452 Filed: 8-15-08 ______________________________________________________________________________
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
SECOND DISTRICT ______________________________________________________________________________
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE ) Appeal from the Circuit Court OF ILLINOIS, ) of Winnebago County. ) Plaintiff-Appellee, ) ) v. ) No. 05--CF--2916 ) CHARLES I. SCHORECK, JR., ) Honorable ) Joseph G. McGraw, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, Presiding. ______________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE O'MALLEY delivered the opinion of the court:
Defendant, Charles I. Schoreck, Jr., appeals his conviction of aggravated battery (720 ILCS
5/12--4(b)(1) (West 2004)), arguing that: (1) the trial court abused its discretion in concluding that
the State, at a January 2006 fitness hearing, proved him fit to stand trial; and (2) the trial court did
not engage defendant in a colloquy adequate to insure that his waiver of his right to present an
insanity defense was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. We hold that the trial court's finding of
fitness at the January 2006 hearing was against the manifest weight of the evidence. Alternatively,
we hold that the trial court erred in not sua sponte holding another fitness hearing when further
doubts of defendant's fitness arose at trial and sentencing. Accordingly, we reverse and remand.
BACKGROUND No. 2--06--0452
In October 2005, defendant was charged with aggravated battery for allegedly beating his
father, Charles Schoreck, Sr. (Charles Sr.), with a garden hose. The trial court granted defense
counsel's motion for appointment of a psychologist to determine whether defendant was fit to stand
trial. The trial court appointed Dr. Robert L. Meyer to evaluate defendant. Dr. Meyer evaluated
defendant on October 21, 2005, and released his report on November 11, 2005. Dr. Meyer wrote in
relevant part:
"Background Information:
*** [D]efendant denies that he has had any past medical health treatments. He denies
that he has had [sic] been on any form of psychotropic medication. He does admit, however,
that he has been evaluated by a psychiatrist on many occasions following domestic
disagreements. [Defendant] generally was quite guarded and would provide little in the way
of detailed clinical history.
Behavioral Observations & Mental Status:
*** Examination of [defendant's] mental status did not suggest any perceptual
disturbances nor was there any indication of first rank symptoms in the form [of] thought
insertion, thought control, and thought broadcasting. However, in this examiner's opinion[,]
[defendant's] thinking was quite delusional ***. *** [A]s the interview proceeded
[defendant's] agitation increased as well as [his] delusional statements. [Defendant] spoke
about a conspiracy of his neighbors in compliance with the Rockford Police who are
essentially harassing him. He spoke about police officers being paid off by the mob and that
informants would be murdered or have their eyes removed. He indicates that he has had
-2- No. 2--06--0452
difficulties with the police, his neighbors, and the mob since 1978. [Defendant's] emotional
demeanor could only be described as extremely agitated.
While no formal assessment of [defendant's] intellectual abilities [was] conducted,
he
appeared to [be] of [sic] grossly average in his intellectual abilities and there did not appear
to be any significant impairment in his recent or remote memory.
Understanding of the Legal Situation:
[Defendant] can state the charges which led to his arrest and can provide the story
surrounding the circumstances. [Defendant] does have understanding of the players and their
responsibilities in court. For instance, he reported the judge is to decide whether one is guilty
or not. [Defendant], however, rather cynically reported that he would not be surprised if the
judge was also being paid off by the mob. He understood the [S]tate's [A]ttorney was there
to attempt to prove one guilty. He reported witnesses are there only after they have been
harassed by the cops, stating they are supposed to tell the truth, but they would not, because
the police will harass them and possibly kill them. When asked the role of plea-bargaining,
he reported it is to degrade oneself and admit wrongdoing. He understood that he had the
right to refuse or accept the negotiated plea. He appears to understand other rights as well
including his right to remain silent and his right to face his accusers.
[Defendant] understands he has a public defender and attorney representing [him].
[H]e did report the responsibilities of his public defender are to defend him.
Summary & Conclusions:
[Defendant][,] in this examiner's opinion[,] is suffering from a delusional disorder,
-3- No. 2--06--0452
NOS. He believes there is an elaborate conspiracy between his neighbors[] [and] police,
including judges and public officials[.] Although he has an understanding of the players and
their responsibility in the courtroom and general legal processes, because of his delusional
thinking, it is this examiner's opinion that [defendant] would be incapable of making a
rational decision and maintaining it over time. He would be incapable of communicating
meaningfully in general[,] and specifically with his attorney[,] and clearly would be
incapable of knowingly, willingly, or knowledgeably entering into plea negotiation. As such,
it is this examiner's opinion that [defendant] is adjudicatively incompetent [and] unfit to
stand trial. Due to the nature of [defendant's] charge and his agitated state, it is this
examiner's opinion that [defendant] is in need of a secured inpatient treatment center, where
with use of targeted psychotropic medication and psychoeducation services [he] should be
restored to fitness within 90 days."
Based on the report, defense counsel moved for a fitness hearing. The State did not oppose
the motion and stated that it did not intend to retain its own expert.
The fitness hearing was held on January 16, 2006. Prior to the hearing, defense counsel
noted that defendant himself disputed Dr. Meyer's finding of unfitness but that the defense would
nonetheless proceed with the hearing. In lieu of Dr. Meyer's appearance, the parties stipulated that
he would testify consistently with his report. The court accepted the stipulation, and the defense
presented its sole witness, defendant.
Defendant testified that he lives in Rockford with Charles Sr., who is 80 years old.
Defendant acknowledged that he was charged with aggravated battery against Charles Sr. Defendant
testified that the police "said [he] struck [his] father with a hose in the backyard." Defendant denied
-4- No. 2--06--0452
the allegation. Defendant testified that Charles Sr. had been watering with a hose outside their home
when he inadvertently directed the water into the basement and electrocuted defendant. Defendant
testified that he took the water hose from Charles Sr. but did not strike him with it.
Defendant testified that he met with Dr. Meyer in October 2005. Defendant claimed that the
meeting "lasted five minutes at the most." Dr. Meyer asked defendant only three questions,
regarding the respective roles of the judge, the State's Attorney, and the public defender. Dr. Meyer
did not ask defendant about the incident that led to his arrest or about his medical history.
Defendant testified that he was not taking any prescription medication. He insisted that he
was not "psychiatrically disabled." When asked if he had ever taken prescription medication,
defendant testified that he was once sent to Elgin State Mental Hospital over a "domestic argument"
and was given medication, including Depakote. He was evaluated in Elgin by Dr. Carrington, a
psychiatrist. After his release from Elgin, defendant saw an "Arabic" doctor in Rockford.
Defense counsel then asked defendant about various aspects of the criminal process:
"Q. Do you understand what a trial is in a criminal court?
A. Yes.
Q. Can you explain to us what that means, what you understand a trial would be?
A. Well, you got a trial by judge or you got a trial by jury. A trial by judge, you
leave it up to the judge to determine your innocence or your guilt.
Q. And what would happen during a jury trial?
A. Well, you got more people to hear what your testimony is to determine are you
-5- No. 2--06--0452
right or are you wrong. It's the same way as a judge, just that you are leaving it up to your
peers to decide are you right or are you wrong, where you are being accused of a crime that
you did or did not commit.
Q. Do you believe that you have a right to a trial?
A. Well, yes, I do. I am an American citizen. I fought for this country in Vietnam.
***
Q. *** If your case was set for trial, what would be the State's role as far as
witnesses are concerned?
A. Well, the State, it's their job to prosecute me and find witnesses to possibly prove
that I am guilty. But, like I said to the police when they arrived at the home, the woman
across the street was the one that called, Loretta Johnson; she borrowed $20 from me and I
explained fully that she was trying to get out of paying me my money. She's--
Q. Again, I have to ask you not to talk about what you are actually charged with, just
what would happen at trial. Do you understand that you would have the right to call
witnesses if you had any on your own behalf?
Q. Do you understand that you have the right to testify at trial?
Q. Can you explain to me what that would mean, having the right to testify at trial?
A. Well, to speak up for my right to, my freedom, but I didn't do nothing wrong.
Q. Do you understand that--are there any other ways to resolve a case, a criminal
case, without going to a trial?
-6- No. 2--06--0452
A. Well, there is no plaintiff--there is no case in an event like this where it is a
family matter; it was an accident. It was not a criminal case. Like I stated, water and
electricity do not mix. But it's an accident, that he didn't realize he caused [it] himself
because he is on medication. He doesn't realize that he is disoriented, what he is doing. I am
not prosecuting my father, because they told me to press charges on him. I didn't listen to
what they had to say. Because it was an accident; it was not a criminal case. In my book,
I don't call accidents criminal cases. In matters like this, I would just ask the judge for a
letter saying case dismissed with a signature so there is no more repercussions here where
anybody gets sued.
Q. Have you ever heard of the term plea bargain before?
A. Yes, I heard that before.
Q. Do you understand what the term means?
A. Well, it depends on what you are pleading to. I am pleading not guilty because
I didn't do nothing wrong. I just stated an accident is not a criminal case. I was the one that
was electrocuted by the water that came through the window that shocked me to the floor.
Q. Again, I have to stop you right there, please. Don't talk about what did or didn't
happen on that date.
A. Well, that's what I tried to explain to the officers so they understand my
viewpoint, what I did.
Q. Do you understand what the word plea bargain means?
A. Well, it means explain the best you can to the best of your ability what happened,
-7- No. 2--06--0452
and that's what I tried to do. I tried to come up with an answer for a problem, not a problem
without an answer that leads to a lawsuit or ungodly amounts of time spent behind bars
where I could be doing better myself working and paying my bills like I was doing, not
making a mountain out of a molehill."
On cross-examination, the State questioned defendant about the incident that led to his arrest.
Defendant reiterated that he did not strike Charles Sr. with the water hose. Defendant testified that
"the lady across the street" called the police when she heard him and Charles Sr. arguing. Defendant
testified that the police "[took] the law into their own hands" when they came to his house to arrest
him. According to defendant, the police "had their guns pulled out and they were threatening if I
didn't open up the door they would shoot through the door." Defendant told the police they were
using unnecessary force and also trespassing contrary to the Bible, which says " 'thou shall not
trespass against thy neighbor.' "
Defendant testified that he had frequent difficulties with the police. He claimed that the
police "[l]et this one guy frame [him] for strong armed robbery, saying he is going to kill my whole
family, and [the police] don't do nothing about him." Defendant claimed that the police were hostile
to him because they disliked his cousin, Douglas Hall, a fellow police officer and "head of the traffic
division." Asked if he believed the "police are paid off by the mobsters sometimes," defendant
replied, "They could be; possibilities exist." Defendant further claimed that "[e]veryone has got
problems with the mob" and that "Uncle Sam" is the "biggest mobster of them all" because "[w]e
will lose our home if we don't pay our taxes."
-8- No. 2--06--0452
Defendant testified that he also had difficulties with his neighbors. He claimed that his
neighbors were "always bumming money and food from [him] all the time" and that the woman
across the street "bummed $20 *** and wouldn't pay the money back."
Asked what he believed was the role of his attorney, defendant replied, "To defend my rights
so I can regain my freedom so I am not incarcerated here any further than I have to be here." Asked
if he understood the purpose of the present proceedings, defendant said, "Yes. It's an evaluation to
see if I am fit to stand trial." With this, the State concluded its cross-examination.
The defense declined redirect but noted that it was submitting as evidence both Dr. Meyer's
report and the pretrial services report. The pretrial services report recorded defendant's responses
to questions about his personal and criminal history. The report did not address any matter of
import that was not covered at the fitness hearing.
After the State rested, the trial court asked its own questions of defendant. The court inquired
about the domestic incident that led to defendant's stay in Elgin. Defendant testified that Charles Sr.
was the complaining witness in that case also. Defendant claimed that the police had "pitted"
Charles Sr. against him "as usual." Defendant also reiterated his opinion that the police were
harassing him because they disliked his cousin.
The court revisited the issue of plea bargaining:
"THE COURT: I am going to talk to you a minute about what a plea bargain is. A
plea bargain is where the State would make an offer to your attorney where they would
recommend a certain sentence to the Court if you pled guilty. Your attorney would make a
counter-offer or counter-demand and there would be negotiations that would go back and
forth between--
-9- No. 2--06--0452
THE DEFENDANT: (Interrupting) Well, that's why I told them, Your Honor, I
plead not guilty because I didn't do any physical harm or mental harm to my father. The
police are using him against his own wife, his own daughter and me. That's not their right
to do that.
THE COURT: Stay with me though; okay. I understand that's your position. You
are saying 'I am not guilty.' But I want to make sure you understand what a plea bargain is,
even if you are not guilty; okay. Imagine we are talking about someone else's case; okay.
THE DEFENDANT: Well, I believe if you are guilty you are going to bargain for
a lesser sentence than what they are offering.
THE COURT: Okay. And the person charged would have the right to accept the
State's offer or reject the State's offer; do you understand that?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes.
THE COURT: And they could persist in their plea of not guilty or they could accept
the State's offer and plead guilty; do you understand that?
THE DEFENDANT: Uh-huh. (Affirmative response).
THE COURT: Or they could tell their attorney to go back to the State with a
counter-demand; do you understand that?
THE COURT: That would be a negotiating process.
THE COURT: All right. That's what a plea bargain is. So do you understand what
I am talking about?
-10- No. 2--06--0452
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I know what you mean."
Following this colloquy, the trial court reviewed the evidence and concluded that the State had
sustained its burden of proving defendant fit to stand trial:
"Okay. Here is the situation, the defense has raised the issue of the defendant's
fitness. There was a bona fide doubt about the defendant's fitness. The court ordered a
determination, ordered an evaluation by Dr. Meyer. Dr. Meyer examined the defendant, said
that he was delusional and because of his delusional thinking he would be incapable of
making rational decisions and maintaining them over time. He would be incapable of
communicating meaningfully in a general way, general and specifically with his attorney and
would be incapable of knowingly, willingly or knowledgeably entering into plea
negotiations. And, therefore, he is adjudicatively incompetent.
Although, I am not convinced of the veracity of everything that [defendant] said. He
understands the role of the Court, counsel, jury. He understands the purpose of plea
negotiations, although he maintains his innocence and, therefore, refuses to participate in
plea negotiations.
Also, clearly Dr. Meyer obtained information about [defendant] either from him--
and that's why I said I am not convinced [defendant] didn't provide some of this information.
Some of it also could have been derived from the pretrial services report; if Dr. Meyer had
access to that, I don't know. I just cannot find based on what's been presented me today that
[defendant] is incompetent or incapable of proceeding.
So unless there is some additional information that somebody wants to present to me,
I am going to find that he is fit and able to stand trial."
-11- No. 2--06--0452
The court set the matter for trial.
On February 28, 2006, the first day of trial, defense counsel remarked to the court that he had
discussed with defendant "the possibility of any alternate pleas based on mental status." Defendant,
according to counsel, had refused to make any such plea. When the court asked defendant whether
he was familiar with the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, defendant replied, "Yes, I have
heard that, but I says [sic] I am not nuts." The court then began to explain the plea of guilty but
mentally ill, and defendant interjected:
"Well, I am not on any medication, so there shouldn't be any reason to say I am
mentally ill because I am not on any medications. I wasn't shot in the head with a bullet. My
dad was. He does have a mental illness, and he is now mentally ill because he had a bullet
in his head. I didn't get one in the head."
The trial court replied, "All right. Fair enough." The court said nothing more on the issue, and the
case proceeded to trial.
Prior to opening statements, the State informed the court that, according to the police reports,
when the police arrived at defendant's home in response to a report that he had beaten Charles Sr.,
defendant said, "Blow away. You don't have a warrant, so you ain't coming in." The State stated
that, to avoid any potential constitutional infringement, it had instructed the police officers not to
testify to defendant's remark about the warrant. The State asked defense counsel whether he
intended to reference defendant's statement, and counsel replied that he and defendant had agreed,
"in terms of strategy," not to inquire about the statement.
-12- No. 2--06--0452
After opening statements, the State presented its witnesses. Loretta Thompson testified that
she lives across the street from defendant and Charles Sr. On September 11, 2005, Thompson saw
defendant beat Charles Sr. with a garden hose in their yard. Thompson called the police.
Rockford police officer Harold Combs testified that, on September 11, 2005, he responded
to a complaint of a domestic battery at the Schoreck home. Upon arriving at the residence, Combs
spoke with Charles Sr., who stated he "needed help" with his son. Combs had Charles Sr. remove
his shirt, and Combs observed several welts on his back. Rockford police officer Karol Fricke, who
also responded to the complaint, confirmed that Charles Sr. had welts on his back.
Charles Sr. testified that, on September 11, 2005, he was watering a tree in his yard when
defendant snatched the hose from him and struck him with it several times on the back. Defendant
then accused Charles Sr. of electrocuting him by spraying water through a basement window.
Charles Sr. testified that the police later came and arrested defendant. Charles Sr. testified that he
did not spray water into the basement nor did he observe any extraneous water when he later
accompanied one of the police officers into the basement.
The defense presented no witnesses. When defendant announced his intent not to testify, the
court made this set of inquiries:
"THE COURT: *** Mr. Schoreck, I think you remember from talking to me before
that you have the right to testify in your case. Do you understand that?
THE COURT: All right. Now, your lawyer is here to advise you, to give you advice
based on his experience. Do you understand?
THE DEFENDANT: Uh, huh.
-13- No. 2--06--0452
THE COURT: Say yes or no, sir.
THE COURT: All right. You have the right to testify. In other words, if you want
to, it's your choice. Do you understand?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: No one can keep you from testifying if you want to testify. Do you
understand that?
THE COURT: No one can make you testify if you don't want to testify. Do you
understand?
THE COURT: Is it your choice not to testify?
THE COURT: Okay. Fair enough."
The jury found defendant guilty of aggravated battery.
A sentencing hearing was held on May 2, 2006. Defendant made a statement in allocution,
which we quote in full for what it reveals about defendant's general frame of mind as well as his
understanding of the process that led to his conviction:
"I just want my viewpoint heard. I wasn't heard in court. I look at this as a mistrial
because nobody had me called up to the jury stand [to] hear my side of the story. They are
just listening to the prosecutor's side of the story. They are not listening to my side of the
story.
-14- No. 2--06--0452
My [d]ad electrocuted me with water in my house. All I did [was] pull the hose out
of his hand when he electrocuted me. They don't want to listen to the facts. I was
electrocuted in my house I own.
They are putting him up, sign an Order of Protection to run me out of the house, take
over the house. All I did [was] take the hose out of his hand. She is mistaken when she said
I hit him with the hose. No. I grabbed the hose out of his hand because I was electrocuted.
The water hit [a] 120-volt electric box near the window of the house. My side was never hurt
[sic], so I consider this to be a mistrial, a travesty of justice on my behalf not being heard.
My side should be heard. There's two sides to every story. I was electrocuted by my [f]ather,
guilty of trying to kill me in the house. He is--he and his girlfriend take over the house, get
my car, my home, wipe it out. He doesn't want the truth to come out. He sexually abused
Debbie, my sister. He's taking sides, framed me, strong armed robbery [in] Chicago, a rapist.
He is going against me. He wants to kill me, take over the house. The truth isn't coming out
until I speak up right now, that he is guilty of taking sides with a man that framed me for
strong armed robbery. It's a power struggle, get my home. I paid $599 cash to Mr. Flowers,
to the house, paid him in cash. The check was made out at Bank of America, where I have
my account of $100,000. I wrote out the check to Mr. Flowers. He can prove it. We can
track him down. I bought the home from him. He is trying to take over my identity or
something with this guy. He is using two different names. His name is Harold Getz. He
used the name Billy Joe Good. He has Debbie. He is using her as a hostage. The truth
doesn't want to come out when they are guilty.
Why would he sign an Order of Protection, because he's guilty of electrocuting me
-15- No. 2--06--0452
in the house? I'm the one that's got more to grumble about here than anybody else. I was
almost killed in my house. I have a right to take the hose out of the hand, shut the water off.
This woman, the girlfriend, owes me $20. She come[s] up to the house before this happened
asking for $20 for gasoline. Her name was Loretta Johnson, not Thompson. 'I want $20.
I'm your new neighbor. Can you loan me--' I said, 'Sure.' She makes up a story when I go.
I see her van in the driveway of the house. She says to me, 'I'm not going to give you the
money. You don't need it.' She says, 'You try to get--ask me for the money back. I'm going
to say you are running a dope house, whore house.['] She was drinking, smoking marijuana.
I could smell it in the doorway, her girlfriend behind the door. 'Lady if you ever need money,
don't come around my house ever again.'
She made up a crime story to get out of paying my $20 back. That's why she makes
up a story, get out of paying me $20. He is listening to his girlfriend, take over my house.
Why did he give me the same name, different name? He wants to give me the same name
so he can knock me off. That's what he wants to do. He don't give a damn about me.
Because if he did, he wouldn't have signed an Order of Protection, his own son, disgraced
me, fought in the United States Marine Corps. How can he call a [M]arine himself, to
demean my character. I'm sitting here, getting harpooned with sticks. I have a fracture, no
medical attention, two broken feet. I feel like I'm coming down with blood poisoning.
Nobody even let me go out [to] see my Doctor, Dr. Hayes. They won' t let me make a call
out of here. I'm trapped like a rat where I'm stuck with a decision. Do I take two years of
probation? I guess I will have to get out of here, get decent legal representation, from an
attorney that knows what he is doing. That's still [sic] to go after him, demeaning my
-16- No. 2--06--0452
character, electrocuting me, not owning up to responsibility. It's his fault, not my fault. He
electrocuted me. I got all the right to sign charges on him for attempted murder.
There's stuff on here that I didn't do. I am being charged with crimes I didn't even do
because they got it in for me. I have worked hard all my life, fought for my country. What
am I getting [is] disgraced. I'm being called a killer, murderer, everything else, my buddies
in the Marine Corps being demeaned by the Communist party, disgraced, all I got out of this.
What was I fighting for, quality for the enemy, get back at me. Yes, it looks that way to me
when he doesn't own up to responsibility myself. Yet he can't even take responsibility [for]
what he did [to] his own daughter, sexually abusing his own daughter, not caring about her,
letting a man [frame me for] strong armed robbery, walk in the house, make a mockery out
of my family. He ain't man enough to fight back when he's taking sides with the enemy.
Because he's a sick man, needs to be put away." (Emphasis added.)
The presentence report noted that defendant had refused to sit for a presentence interview.
The report reflected that defendant had prior convictions of robbery, criminal trespass to land, and
criminal damage to property. The report also indicated that, on March 3, 1999, defendant underwent
a mental health evaluation at the Janet Wattles Center and was diagnosed with "Bipolar I-hypomanic
and Antisocial Personality Disorder."
The trial court sentenced defendant to three years of imprisonment. He filed this timely
appeal.
ANALYSIS
Defendant makes two arguments on appeal. First, he argues that he was not proven fit to
stand trial. Second, he asserts that the trial court failed to insure that his waiver of an insanity
-17- No. 2--06--0452
defense was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. We agree with defendant on the fitness issue and
find it dispositive of this appeal.
In his opening brief, defendant anticipates an argument from the State that he waived the
issue of fitness by failing to raise it in his posttrial motion. Defendant argues that the issue is
reviewable under the plain-error rule, and we agree. "Fitness for trial is a fundamental right, and
therefore the plain error doctrine permits review of fitness issues that would otherwise be waived."
People v. Meyers, 367 Ill. App. 3d 402, 409 (2006), citing People v. Sandham, 174 Ill. 2d 379, 382
(1996).
The State concedes that application of the plain error rule to save a fitness issue otherwise
waived is "normally" appropriate, but not on the particular facts here. The State maintains that we
should enforce waiver because defendant's attack on the trial court's fitness determination is based
in part on circumstances that arose at trial and sentencing, yet defendant failed to reopen the issue
of fitness at any time after the fitness hearing. The State overreaches in arguing for complete waiver
of the fitness issue, when we could simply restrict our review of the fitness finding to the
circumstances existing when the finding was entered. We decline to impose even this lesser
sanction, however, because the trial court was under a continuing duty to revisit on its own initiative
the issue of defendant's fitness whenever there arose a genuine doubt of his competence, whether
before, during, or after trial. Defendant's reliance on facts that arose after the fitness hearing is
entirely proper even though he himself did not raise the issue of fitness subsequent to the hearing.
See Sandham, 174 Ill. 2d at 382, 389 ("the circuit court has a duty to order a fitness hearing, sua
sponte, any time a bona fide doubt arises regarding a defendant's ability to understand the nature and
purpose of the proceedings or assist in his defense," and "all the events and testimony cited by the
-18- No. 2--06--0452
defendant, including those occurring during the sentencing hearing, are relevant to defendant's fitness
at the time of trial").
We turn to the merits of the fitness issue. "Due process bars the criminal prosecution or
sentencing of a defendant who is not competent to stand trial." People v. Woodard, 367 Ill. App. 3d
304, 319 (2006). A defendant is presumed fit to stand trial (725 ILCS 5/104--10 (West 2004)), but,
when a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's fitness is raised, "the court shall order a determination
of the issue before proceeding further" (725 ILCS 5/104--11(a) (West 2004)). The court must hold
a "hearing to determine the issue of the defendant's fitness." 725 ILCS 5/104--16(a) (West 2004).
The fitness determination is governed by the following nonexclusive set of factors:
"(1) The defendant's knowledge and understanding of the charge, the proceedings,
the consequences of a plea, judgment or sentence, and the functions of the participants in the
trial process;
(2) The defendant's ability to observe, recollect and relate occurrences, especially
those concerning the incidents alleged, and to communicate with counsel;
(3) The defendant's social behavior and abilities; orientation as to time and place;
recognition of persons, places and things; and performance of motor processes." 725 ILCS
5/104--16(b) (West 2004).
The overarching criterion of fitness is:
"A defendant is unfit if, because of his mental or physical condition, he is unable to
understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him or to assist in his defense."
725 ILCS 5/104--10 (West 2004).
-19- No. 2--06--0452
Fleshing out this standard, Illinois courts have held that a defendant is fit to stand trial if he "has
sufficient present ability to consult with defense counsel with a reasonable degree of rational
understanding and *** has both a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings." (Emphasis
added.) People v. Baugh, 358 Ill. App. 3d 718, 732 (2005).
There is no dispute that Dr. Meyer's report raised a bona fide doubt as to defendant's fitness,
thereby requiring the court to hold a fitness hearing. The question is whether the State proved by a
preponderance of the evidence that defendant was fit. See 725 ILCS 5/104--11(c) (West 2006)
("When a bona fide doubt of the defendant's fitness has been raised, the burden of proving that the
defendant is fit by a preponderance of the evidence and the burden of going forward with the
evidence are on the State"). Both parties assert that a trial court's finding of fitness is reviewed for
abuse of discretion. Indeed, there are several appellate decisions that so hold. See, e.g., Baugh, 358
Ill. App. 3d at 732 ("A trial court's fitness determination will be reversed only upon a showing of an
abuse of discretion"); People v. Jones, 349 Ill. App. 3d 255, 261 (2004) (same). However, as our
supreme court held in People v. Haynes, 174 Ill. 2d 204, 226 (1996), "[t]he trial court's ruling on the
issue of fitness will be reversed only if against the manifest weight of the evidence." This
proposition was indirectly reaffirmed by the supreme court in Best v. Best, 223 Ill. 2d 342, 348-49
(2006), which held: "When a trial court makes a finding by a preponderance of the evidence, this
court will reverse that finding only if it is against the manifest weight of the evidence." Accordingly,
the standard that guides us is whether the trial court's finding of fitness was against the manifest
weight of the evidence.
While we ultimately agree with defendant that the trial court erred on the fitness issue, we
note our disagreement with one thread of defendant's reasoning. Defendant asserts that the trial court
-20- No. 2--06--0452
"should not have discounted persuasive, uncontradicted expert testimony from Dr. Meyer that
[defendant] was unfit due solely to [defendant's] statement that he was fit and that he had a factual
understanding of how the legal process operates" (emphasis added). Defendant sets up somewhat
of a straw man here. If defendant indeed offered an opinion on the ultimate question of whether he
was fit to stand trial, or on the penultimate question of whether he understood the proceedings
against him or could participate in his defense, the trial court could not have considered that opinion
as evidence of defendant's fitness, for such would be clear question-begging. This is the teaching
of People v. McKinstray, 30 Ill. 2d 611 (1964), and People v. Baldwin, 185 Ill. App. 3d 1079 (1989),
both cited by defendant.
In McKinstray, a psychiatrist testifying for the defense at a fitness hearing opined that the
defendant was unfit. The psychiatrist diagnosed the defendant with organic brain disease, based on
his history of mental illness and the psychiatrist's own observations of the defendant's behavior. The
defendant was the sole other witness at the fitness hearing. The supreme court described his
testimony as follows:
"[Defendant] described a skull fracture which he sustained in a 1959 automobile
accident and his subsequent hospitalization. He testified that he understood the nature of the
charge against him. Defendant was asked whether in his own mind he was able to co-operate
in the defense of this case; he replied, 'Well, I feel like I would be more than willing to try,
and I really feel I could, yes sir.' " McKinstray, 30 Ill. 2d at 614.
The State presented no evidence. The fitness question was put to a jury, who found the defendant
fit. The supreme court reversed, holding that the trial court should have directed a verdict of
unfitness:
-21- No. 2--06--0452
"Defendant clearly rebutted the presumption of his sanity and the People offered no evidence,
relying on the testimony of the defendant to establish his ability to rationally conduct his
defense and co-operate with counsel. To accept defendant's opinion that he is able to co-
operate with counsel in his defense, when the purpose of the hearing is to determine that
very fact, would make a sham out of the sanity hearing, especially here where there is a
history of a severe head injury and psychiatric treatment and the opinion of the sole medical
witness that the defendant, although understanding the nature of the crime with which he was
charged, was unable to co-operate with his counsel and was then committable to a mental
institution."
(Emphasis added.) McKinstray, 30 Ill. 2d at 616-17.
Although the supreme court in McKinstray described the defendant's testimony in rather
general terms, it is evident from the holding in the case that the testimony essentially consisted only
of the defendant's own "opinion" that he understood the charge and could participate in his defense.
The court held that to take a defendant's opinion that he is fit as evidence of his fitness would
circumvent the fitness inquiry. Importantly, the McKinstray court said nothing of the relevance of
a defendant's testimony apart from his opinion regarding his fitness. Such testimony obviously has
potential relevance to one or more of the statutory factors that guide the fitness determination. See
725 ILCS 5/104--16(b) (West 2004).
McKinstray was relied on in Baldwin, where again the only evidence in opposition to a
psychiatric conclusion of unfitness was the defendant's testimony, which the appellate court
described as follows:
-22- No. 2--06--0452
"Defendant stated that he believed he was fit to stand trial. The trial judge then interrogated
the defendant as to his understanding of the nature and purpose of the proceedings.
Defendant stated that he understood who the individuals in the court were and what they
were there to do. When the trial judge asked him whether he was cooperating with counsel,
the defendant stated 'yes--she's good.' The defendant stated that he often felt depressed but
stated he could nevertheless help his attorney because he considered the case 'open and shut.'
When queried about his interview with Dr. Markos, the defendant related that the interview
lasted for only a short while and that Dr. Markos had only asked him a couple of questions."
Baldwin, 185 Ill. App. 3d at 1085-86.
The court found McKinstray "controlling," citing it for the proposition "that an incompetent
defendant can hardly be accepted as a reliable witness to his own competency." Baldwin, 185 Ill.
App. 3d at 1086-87. The court held that the trial court erred in finding the defendant fit:
"Since the expert testimony that defendant was unfit was uncontradicted in the trial court,
it is our opinion, the trial court could not reject the expert's conclusion without other
testimony or evidence that defendant was fit, other than defendant's own statement."
(Emphasis added.) Baldwin, 185 Ill. App. 3d at 1087.
As with McKinstray, we interpret Baldwin's rather general description of the defendant's testimony
in light of the court's holding. Evidently, when the trial court in Baldwin "interrogated defendant
as to his understanding of the nature and purpose of the proceedings" (Baldwin, 185 Ill. App. 3d at
1085), the defendant's only potentially relevant responses were, as in McKinstray, his own opinions
on the ultimate question of fitness. This interpretation jibes with the Baldwin court's remark that
the defendant was but a "witness to his own competency" and so the case was indistinguishable from
-23- No. 2--06--0452
McKinstray (Baldwin, 185 Ill. App. 3d at 1086-87). Baldwin, like McKinstray, says nothing about
the relevance of a defendant's testimony apart from his own assessment of his fitness.
Here, as in McKinstray and Baldwin, the trial court based its finding of fitness in large part
on defendant's testimony, but this case differs fundamentally from those authorities in that defendant
never offered his own opinion on fitness. Defendant simply is wrong that the trial court rejected Dr.
Meyer's testimony in favor of his own "statement that he was fit and that he had a factual
understanding of how the legal process operates." Rather, the trial court found Dr. Meyer's
conclusions inconsistent with defendant's mentality as evidenced indirectly, as it were, in his
testimony.
The remaining case defendant cites in his favor, People v. Williams, 87 Ill. App. 3d 860
(1980), does have relevance here because it suggests that a trial court's observations of a defendant
in a particular case may provide too little a sample by which to reject psychiatric conclusions. In
Williams, two psychiatric experts testified that the defendant was unfit. The defendant did not testify
at the fitness hearing. The trial court found the defendant fit. The trial court rejected the expert
opinions as vague and conjectural and relied on its observations of the defendant. The appellate
court reversed even though the trial court's finding of fitness was based on its observations of the
defendant, not on the defendant's own opinion as to his fitness:
"[T]he [expert] testimony at the fitness hearing did indicate that this defendant at the time
of the hearing was not fit to stand trial; such a conclusion should not be rejected by a trial
court without other testimony or evidence that defendant was in fact fit. Defendant did not
testify at the hearing or at trial. The trial judge's personal observation of defendant regarding
his fitness for trial in this case consisted of brief exchanges of casual conversation; the record
-24- No. 2--06--0452
does not disclose any other behavior of defendant which might have indicated that defendant
was either fit or unfit. We find that the trial court's rejection of the expert witnesses'
conclusions was not warranted solely on the basis of the court's opinion derived from such
brief exposure to the defendant or from the court's 'common sense' interpretation of the
witnesses' psychiatric testimony." (Emphasis added.) Williams, 87 Ill. App. 3d at 864.
Unfortunately, though the length and nature of the trial court's observations of the defendant was
critical to its decision, the Williams court did not detail that contact at all but simply summed it up
as "brief."
Though this vagueness makes Williams difficult to distinguish, later courts have indeed
distinguished it based on the quality of the trial court's observations of the defendant in that case.
In Baugh, two experts testified at the fitness hearing. They both found that the defendant understood
the nature and purpose of the proceedings against him. They concluded that the defendant was unfit,
however, because his narcolepsy, or tendency to fall asleep spontaneously, rendered him unable to
cooperate in his defense. No other witnesses appeared at the hearing. The trial court found the
defendant fit. The appellate court summarized the trial court's reasoning as follows:
"The trial court accepted the diagnosis of narcolepsy but ruled that there was no
credible [evidence] to conclude that narcolepsy impaired defendant to the extent that he was
unable to assist counsel in his defense. Specifically, the trial court noted that defendant was
present for numerous pretrial court proceedings and always appeared awake, alert and able
to comprehend what was going on. The court took judicial notice that defendant sat at the
table with his counsel for 40 minutes during the fitness hearing and there was no indication
that defendant ever fell asleep or became confused." Baugh, 358 Ill. App. 3d at 723.
-25- No. 2--06--0452
The defendant appealed the finding of fitness, contending specifically that he was not proven capable
of participating in his defense. The appellate court affirmed. The court explained that the
defendant's "active participation during the pretrial hearings and his demeanor during the fitness
hearing, as observed by the trial judge, provided a sufficient basis for the trial court to reject the
unpersuasive expert testimony that defendant's narcolepsy rendered him unable to assist in his
defense." Baugh, 358 Ill. App. 3d at 735-36. The court found that the defendant's later participation
at trial confirmed the earlier fitness finding. The court noted that the defendant's trial testimony
"covered over 70 pages of the report of proceedings and [did] not disclose any signs of confusion,
inability to communicate with counsel, inability to respond to questioning, or sudden episodes of
falling asleep." Baugh, 358 Ill. App. 3d at 736. The court distinguished Williams because "the trial
court's exposure to defendant was neither brief nor limited to casual conversations, and defendant
testified at the trial." Baugh, 358 Ill. App. 3d at 734; see also People v. Phillips, 226 Ill. App. 3d
878, 887-88 (1992) ("Quite unlike the facts in the instant case, the defendant in Williams did not
testify at the hearing or at trial, and the trial judge's personal observation of the defendant regarding
his fitness for trial consisted merely of brief exchanges of casual conservation").
After Baugh, Williams, and Phillips, the probative value of a trial court's observations of a
defendant is a matter of degree. We hold that the quantity and quality of the court's observations of
defendant here bring this case closer to Baugh and Phillips than to Williams. Thus, we cannot agree
with defendant's insinuation that the trial court did not see enough of defendant to test Dr. Meyer's
conclusions.
When we consider the substance of what the court saw, however, we believe that it
corroborates rather than confutes Dr. Meyer's finding that defendant's "delusional disorder" rendered
-26- No. 2--06--0452
him "incapable of making a rational decision and maintaining it over time" and, ultimately,
"incapable of communicating meaningfully in general and specifically with his attorney." In his
supporting findings, Dr. Meyer recorded that defendant claimed to have had "difficulties with the
police, his neighbors, and the mob since 1978." Defendant asserted that his neighbors were
conspiring with the police to frame him. He maintained that the police are "paid off by the mob" and
coerce witnesses to testify falsely. Defendant suggested that the judge handling his case might also
be in the mob's sway. Defendant opined that the purpose of plea bargaining is to "degrade oneself
and admit wrongdoing."
Defendant took up the same paranoic themes at the fitness hearing. He claimed that the
police generally dislike him because of his cousin and so have refused to take action against a man
who framed him for armed robbery and threatened to kill his family. Defendant accused the police
of using Charles Sr. against his family. Defendant continued to claim that the police are in the mob's
influence. He also asserted that "everybody has got problems with the mob." Defendant intimated
that the police were summoned to his house because the woman across the street was trying to avoid
paying him the $20 she owed him.
When asked at the fitness hearing to relate his understanding of his various constitutional
rights, defendant gave largely sober and accurate descriptions of those rights despite the frequent
protestations of innocence he injected into his answers. On the subject of plea bargaining, defendant
did not reassert the dark view of the process he expressed to Dr. Meyer but assented to the court's
description of the process. Defendant was emphatic that plea bargaining in this case was repugnant
to him because he was innocent of the charge.
-27- No. 2--06--0452
Passable as defendant's understanding of the legal process seemed, the State left virtually
unchallenged Dr. Meyer's negative assessment of defendant's mental capacity and the corroborating
evidence of defendant's persecution fantasies. We conclude, therefore, that the trial court's finding
that the State bore its burden of proving defendant fit to stand trial was against the manifest weight
of the evidence.
Even if defendant had been proved fit at the January 2006 fitness hearing, the trial court was
under a continuing obligation to hold a subsequent fitness hearing sua sponte whenever there arose
a bona fide doubt of defendant's fitness. See Sandham, 174 Ill. 2d at 382. Indeed, further bona fide
doubt of defendant's fitness was raised by his conduct at trial and sentencing. When, just prior to
trial, the trial court raised the possibility of a plea of guilty but mentally ill, defendant rejected it on
the confused ground that he could not be mentally ill because he was not on medication and "wasn't
shot in the head with a bullet." Later, in his statement in allocution at the May 2006 sentencing,
defendant ramblingly gave full dress to the conspiracy theory he sketched in the interview with Dr.
Meyer and at the fitness hearing. According to defendant, Charles Sr. was attempting to take
ownership of the house by bringing false criminal charges against defendant. Charles Sr. had
enlisted three people in his plot: (1) his "girlfriend" and neighbor Loretta Thompson, whose
unwillingness to pay a $20 debt to defendant was her own motive for wanting him incarcerated; (2)
an anonymous man who had framed defendant for "strong armed" robbery; and (3) one Mr. Flowers.
Defendant suggested that these people were also intent on stealing his identity. Defendant further
accused Charles Sr. of sexually abusing defendant's sister, Debbie. Defendant also claimed that
Debbie was being held hostage as part of the schemes against him.
-28- No. 2--06--0452
Such was defendant's "viewpoint" of the case--an exceedingly paranoid, freely associational
theory that only confirmed Dr. Meyer's opinion that defendant was delusional and had a diminished
capacity for rationality. We recognize that "a defendant may be competent to stand trial even though
his mind is otherwise unsound." Sandham, 174 Ill. 2d at 388-89. Indeed, despite his handicaps,
defendant was able to conduct himself with reasonable decorum in a courtroom setting. Defense
counsel even referenced an important strategic decision he made in collaboration with defendant.
Nevertheless, we cannot conceive how a person with such an outlandish view of reality could be
more help than hindrance to his counsel's attempts to frame a reasoned defense to criminal charges.
While we can only speculate why defendant did not testify at trial, we can appreciate why an attorney
might accord no place in a defense theory to grandiose claims of conspiracy.
Equally distressing as defendant's far-ranging fantasies are his statements at trial and
sentencing that show a basic misunderstanding of core rights. First, prior to trial, defendant voiced
the non sequitur that he was not mentally ill in a legal sense because he was not on medication.
Second, at sentencing, defendant claimed a "mistrial because nobody had called [him] up to the jury
stand [to] hear [his] side of the story." Defendant insisted on voicing his "viewpoint" because he
"wasn't heard in court." Defendant complained of a "travesty of justice" in that "[t]hey are just
listening to the prosecutor's side of the story." Thus, despite the thorough waiver colloquy at trial,
defendant claimed at sentencing that his failure to testify was not his choice. Defendant may have
forgotten that he waived his right to testify, or he may have believed all along that the waiver was
a sham and that he would not have been permitted to testify even if he wanted. Such a belief would
certainly jibe with his delusions of persecution.
-29- No. 2--06--0452
We hold that, regardless of whether the State sustained its burden at the January 2006 fitness
hearing, defendant's remarks at trial and sentencing raised further bona fide doubt of his fitness.
Therefore, the trial court should have adjourned those proceedings and conducted a second fitness
hearing. Given the obvious thematic links between defendant's remarks at trial and sentencing and
his earlier remarks at the fitness hearing, the trial court should have reexamined whether defendant
was indeed fit at the time of trial. At a minimum, the court should have determined whether
defendant was fit for sentencing.
We pause to note that our decision here is consistent with People v. Meyers, 367 Ill. App. 3d
402 (2006) (Meyers II), where the defendant had mental deficiencies somewhat akin to what
defendant suffered here, yet we affirmed the trial court's finding that no bona fide doubt of the
defendant's fitness was raised. The defendant in Meyers II was convicted of striking a police officer
with a hammer. On appeal, he argued that the trial court erred by not sua sponte conducting a
hearing to determine his fitness. The defendant asserted that a bona fide doubt of his fitness had
arisen based on: (1) a finding in a prior unrelated case that the defendant was unfit, which, he
claimed, raised a presumption of unfitness in the present proceedings; and (2) the defendant's
conduct in the present proceedings.
To assess the defendant's argument, we recounted the prior case, People v. Meyers, 352 Ill.
App. 3d 790 (2004) (Meyers I). There also the defendant was charged with battery of a police
officer. At a pretrial hearing on February 4, 2002, the defendant laughed maniacally and repeatedly
swore at the trial court, which then recessed the hearing for an immediate psychological evaluation
of the defendant. Dr. Timothy Brown evaluated the defendant and reported on the record that the
defendant was " 'unable to control his behavior' " and was " 'unable to cooperate and assist in the
-30- No. 2--06--0452
preparation of his defense as a result of a mental illness.' " Meyers I, 352 Ill. App. 3d at 793-94. The
trial court found the defendant unfit, based on Dr. Brown's assessment and the court's own
observations. A month later, the defendant's new counsel reported that the defendant was fit. The
defendant was tried and convicted on March 25, 2002. During proceedings just after the verdict was
returned, the defendant repeatedly swore at the trial court, and the court held him in contempt.
Meyers I, 352 Ill. App. 3d at 795-96.
At a posttrial hearing, the trial court sua sponte mentioned the issue of fitness, noting that Dr.
Brown had sent the court a letter on February 5, 2002, stating his basis for finding the defendant
unfit. We summarized the letter as follows:
"The letter contains a number of Dr. Brown's findings and observations as to defendant's
fitness to stand trial, including: (1) that defendant's judgment was grossly impaired; (2) that
defendant was irrational; (3) that defendant did not appreciate that the court 'had the ability
to take control of him, restrict his freedom, and try him on criminal charges'; (4) that
defendant was 'angrily out of control' while in court; (5) that defendant is 'suffering from a
psychotic disorder in which his mood fluctuates rapidly'; (6) that defendant is 'suspicious,
distrustful, aggressive, and most likely delusional'; (7) that defendant 'lacks the capacity to
cooperate with his attorney'; (8) that defendant 'does not appreciate the nature and purpose
of the proceeding against him'; and (9) that, to a reasonable degree of psychiatric certainty,
defendant is not fit to stand trial." Meyers I, 352 Ill. App. 3d at 796.
After restating the contents of the letter, the trial court implied that the defendant became fit by the
time of trial, noting that the defendant had been a " 'gentleman at all times' " during the trial and "
'knew exactly what he was doing.' " Meyers I, 352 Ill. App. 3d at 796. The court also found that the
-31- No. 2--06--0452
defendant had assisted in his defense and appreciated the nature of the proceedings. Meyers I, 352
Ill. App. 3d at 796.
The defendant appealed, and we reversed the defendant's conviction. We held that the
defendant's conduct just after trial raised a bona fide doubt of his fitness because it was the same type
of behavior that he exhibited at the February 2002 pretrial hearing and that led to the finding of
unfitness. We found that defense counsel's later claim that the defendant had regained his fitness
was not persuasive because counsel admitted that he took the case just the day before. We remanded
for a fitness hearing. Meyers I, 352 Ill. App. 3d at 798-800. In Meyers II, we noted that we were
unable to discern from the record in Meyers II whether a fitness hearing actually occurred on remand
in Meyers I. The parties in Meyers II agreed that no such hearing took place, and we proceeded on
that assumption.
In Meyers II, the defendant was openly critical of the proceedings against him, but, in
remarkable contrast to Meyers I, he acted civilly during all reported proceedings. At his first
appearance, he claimed that the charge was " ' fake' " and that Kane County was " 'mak[ing] up [its]
own laws.' " Meyers II, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 406. The issue of the defendant's fitness was not raised
at any time before or during trial, which occurred in July 2004. The defendant testified at trial that,
on the day in question, he was carrying a hammer while looking for carpentry work near a homeless
shelter in Aurora. He testified that the Aurora police approached him and beat him without
provocation, having previously summoned an ambulance to the scene with the intent of hospitalizing
him. The defendant denied striking any of the officers with the hammer, and he claimed that the
Aurora police had threatened his life on prior occasions. The defendant was convicted. At defense
counsel's request, the trial court ordered that the defendant undergo a psychological evaluation as
-32- No. 2--06--0452
part of the presentence investigation. At sentencing, the trial court noted the presentence report's
references to the defendant's beliefs that "his estranged wife's 'people' are involved with the Ku Klux
Klan and the Aurora police, that his father-in-law has had the Klan spray paint swastikas at his place
of employment, and that each time he files for divorce or for custody of his children, the Aurora
police come and beat him up." Meyers II, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 408. The defendant made no statement
in allocution. The trial court observed that the defendant suffered from " 'a delusional disorder,
persecutory complex' " but found that he was fit at the time of trial and also fit to be sentenced.
Meyers II, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 409.
We rejected the defendant's argument on appeal that a bona fide doubt of his fitness arose
during the proceedings below. First, we refused to hold that the finding of unfitness in the 2002
proceedings itself raised a bona fide doubt of the defendant's fitness in the 2004 proceedings. We
noted the three factors by which courts determine whether a prior finding of unfitness raises a bona
fide doubt of fitness in a later proceeding: (1) the remoteness of the prior finding; (2) evidence "that
the defendant's unfitness was caused by a continuing or permanent condition"; and (3) the
defendant's conduct in the later proceeding. Meyers II, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 411-12. Applying these
factors, we said:
"[T]here is no suggestion that Dr. Brown believed [in Meyers I] that this psychotic disorder
was permanent in defendant's case or even that disorders of this kind generally are
permanent. Defendant's conduct in the proceedings below belies his claim that his disorder
was still present. Absent entirely were the profane, irreverent outbursts that marked his
demeanor in [Meyers I]. Defendant, in fact, spoke only when asked and was entirely civil.
His testimony at trial was coherent and lucid, albeit rather implausible. His colorful
-33- No. 2--06--0452
conspiracy theories about the Aurora police, the Ku Klux Klan, and his estranged wife's
family may well reflect the paranoid and persecutory beliefs that were detected by Dr. Brown
in [Meyers I] and by the trial court in the present case. However, '[f]itness speaks only to a
person's ability to function within the context of a trial,' and '[a] defendant can be fit for trial
although his or her mind may be otherwise unsound.' [Citation.] Whatever mental
afflictions defendant may have suffered at the time of trial, there is no indication that they
inhibited his understanding of the proceedings or his ability to assist in his defense at trial."
Meyers II, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 412-13.
We then rejected the defendant's alternative argument that his conduct in the proceedings raised a
bona fide doubt of his fitness. We necessarily repeated some of our prior analysis:
"[D]efendant behaved in a gentlemanly way during trial and his testimony was coherent and
clear, albeit in many respects unbelievable. If defendant retained the unspecified psychotic
disorder and negative personality traits identified in Dr. Brown's letter in [Meyers I], they do
not appear to have affected his ability to understand the nature of the proceedings and to
participate in his own defense." Meyers II, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 414.
Meyers II, we believe, is distinguishable. Dr. Brown's diagnosis in Meyers I was just as
dismal as Dr. Meyer's here. In Meyers II, however, the diagnosed condition, which in Meyers I had
manifested itself in the defendant's openly antisocial behavior, no longer had a demonstrable effect
on his capacity to function in the context of court proceedings--if even the condition still persisted
(which we expressly doubted in Meyers II). See People v. Easley, 192 Ill. 2d 307, 320 (2000)
("[f]itness speaks only to a person's ability to function within the context of a trial" and "[a]
defendant can be fit for trial although his or her mind may be otherwise unsound"). There was no
-34- No. 2--06--0452
indication that the arguable indicia of a persistent pathology, namely a belief in persecution by the
Ku Klux Klan and the Aurora police, rendered the defendant unable to participate rationally in the
process. See People v. Contorno, 322 Ill. App. 3d 177, 179 (2001) ("The ultimate decision as to a
defendant's fitness must be made by the trial court, not the experts"). Here, in marked contrast,
defendant showed a profound misunderstanding of certain vital rights of a criminal defendant.
Since there is no practical way for the trial court to now determine whether defendant was
fit at trial in February 2006 or sentencing in May 2006, we reverse defendant's conviction and
remand for a new trial. Of course, just as the trial court is unable now to determine defendant's
fitness at such remote dates, we cannot know whether defendant is now fit for trial. Therefore, a
fitness hearing is necessary on remand only if there should arise a bona fide doubt of defendant's
current fitness.
In view of this holding, we do not decide the second issue on appeal, which is whether the
trial court engaged in an adequate colloquy with defendant when he waived his right to present an
insanity defense.
Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the circuit court of Winnebago County and remand
this case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Reversed and remanded.
GROMETER and JORGENSEN, JJ., concur.
-35-
People v. Schoreck (People v. Schoreck) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.