Was he legally sane? Case turns on Spires’ mental health
By Tara Becker
tbecker@svnmail.com
800-798-4085, ext. 570
Editor’s note: Sauk Valley Newspapers strives to protect the identity of victims of crimes. Although the woman in this story has filed public court documents, the paper had decided not to name her.
Three years ago, life in prison was vastly different for John R. Spires.
» Related link — 3 years later: Warden warns shrinking staff to remain vigilant.
Despite serving a 240-year sentence for a series of rapes three decades ago, the 53-year-old Cook County man was considered a model prisoner at Dixon Correctional Center.
He even was afforded special privileges, such as working as a janitor, that allowed him access to areas normally off-limits to prisoners.
But then the diagnosed schizophrenic was charged with the May 2006 sexual assault of a prison psychologist.
Now, he spends 23 hours a day in a small metal cell in the closed maximum-security facility at Tamms Correctional Center, which houses the Department of Corrections’ most disruptive, violent and problematic inmates.
Nine months after the attack, Spires told the Chicago Tribune that he hears voices telling him to hurt himself and others and that he was prepared to spend the rest of his life at Tamms.
“I’m OK with that,” Spires said. “That way I know I won’t hurt anyone. I get tired of hurting people.”
MOST ACTION in the criminal case the past 3 years has involved trying to determine whether Spires was legally sane at the time of the attack and whether he can aid in the defense against the charges he faces: aggravated kidnapping, armed violence, forcible detention and aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon.
Attorneys are still working to set a trial date. For his past crimes, Spires is eligible for parole in 2045, when he’ll be 89.
Prosecutors, though, don’t want that to happen.
“There’s a chance he could parole out, and that’s not an option for us,” Lee County Assistant State’s Attorney Peter Buh said in December.
Spires’ next status hearing is June 3.
A YEAR AGO this month, the woman was awarded a default settlement of $2 million against Spires in a civil lawsuit. He didn’t appear in court to contest the allegations.
She likely won’t see a dime, but money wasn’t the point, said her attorney, Stephen Smalling of Chicago. The complaint against Spires laid the groundwork for a claim in the Illinois Court of Claims against the state, the Department of Corrections and the prison.
Among her claims against the state, the psychologist alleges that the prison failed to provide, sufficient security or guards to protect her while she worked; failed to segregate dangerous inmates from her; and failed to monitor Spires’ medications to prevent attacks on others.
Although Smalling placed her damages at more than $1 million, the most she can be awarded by state law is $100,000.
She already has settled with her employer, Wexford Health Sources of Dixon, which contracts with the prison. She was awarded almost $300,000 – $75,000 up front and the rest to be paid over 30 years.
Smalling said the claim against the state may take years to resolve.
“I don’t anticipate anything happening within the foreseeable future.”
About the Illinois Court of Claims
The Illinois Court of Claims serves any citizen with a claim of money damages or personal injury against a state agency or state employee. It compensates violent crime victims who are uninsured or underinsured.
Money owed to Illinois citizens that has lapsed due to the close of the fiscal year also must be compensated through the Court of Claims.
While the court is not involved in Workers Compensation, all other claims against the state, including death in the line of duty of police officers, firefighters and Navy militiamen, are compensated through the Court of Claims.
Source: www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/court_of_claims/serves.html
Spires timeline
May 11, 2006
- The Dixon Correctional Center begins a 3-week lockdown after an inmate kidnaps a prison psychologist and sexually assaults her during a 25-hour standoff.
June 6, 2006
- Rape and kidnapping charges are filed in Lee County court against John Spires, a Cook County man convicted of committing a series of rapes in the 1970s and early '80s.
June 30, 2006
- Judge orders that a mental fitness evaluation of Spires be done by an independent forensic psychiatrist.
July 16, 2006
- Sauk Valley Newspapers reports that Spires' sister, Sharon Bannar, said her brother was off his medication and mentally ill at the time of the attack. She questions why her brother was given the freedom to work as a janitor, considering his "mental state."
July 23, 2006
- Lee County State's Attorney Paul Whitcombe alleges a meticulously planned attack by Spires, who was said to have stashed an 8-inch knife, food and water in the storage closet where he barricaded himself and the woman.
Aug. 21, 2006
- Dixon Correctional Center revises and expands policy on making and reviewing inmate work assignments.
Aug. 31, 2006
- Spires indicted on charges of aggravated kidnapping, armed violence, forcible detention, and aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon.
Nov. 22, 2006
- Spires found mentally fit to stand trial.
March 6, 2008
- Victim files claim for personal injuries against state of Illinois, claiming prison's negligence and carelessness led to the attack, asks for maximum $100,000 award.
Feb. 27, 2008
- Victim files lawsuit in Lee County Court against Spires, seeking damages of more than $50,000.
May 2008
- Victim awarded default judgment of $2 million against Spires.
July 11, 2008
- Fitness evaluation filed in court says Spires was not of sound mind at the time of the attack. Judge orders a second evaluation.
Dec. 15, 2008
- Second evaluation determines Spires was able to form criminal intent at the time of the attack.
June 3
- Next scheduled court appearance for Spires
