Judge says accused killer of southwestern Illinois pastor is mentally unfit for trial
By APTuesday, October 20, 2009
Pastor’s accused killer deemed unfit for trial
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A judge says a man accused of gunning down a pastor during his sermon in a southwestern Illinois church is mentally unfit to stand trial.
Madison County Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli made the ruling Tuesday after receiving a court-ordered psychiatric examination of Terry Sedlacek (SEHD’-lak).
Prosecutors and public defenders agreed that psychologist Robert Heilbronner would testify that Sedlacek is a schizophrenic who likely won’t give his attorneys accurate information or understand the legal process.
Authorities allege Sedlacek killed the Rev. Fred Winters on March 8 inside the First Baptist Church of Maryville.
Tognarelli has remanded Sedlacek to the custody of the state Department of Human Services for treatment.
