Trial date set for Spires: Case to center on contradictory mental health evaluations

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

DIXON – More than 3 years have passed since convicted rapist John Spires allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a prison psychologist at Dixon Correctional Center.

Wednesday, Lee County Associate Judge Jacquelyn Ackert set a Sept. 14 trial date.

Spires’ attorney, Tom Murray, said he expects the trial to last a week and half. Attorneys have until Aug. 12 to file pretrial motions.

During the brief hearing Wednesday, Murray said he still is waiting for one more medical report that he expects to have by next week.

Prosecutors say Spires kidnapped the psychologist in May 2006, held her hostage in a closet for 25 hours and repeatedly assaulted her.

At the center of the trial will be two contradictory mental health evaluations done on Spires, now being held in Tamms Correctional Center.

An evaluation by Dixon-based forensic psychiatrist Dr. Kishore Thampy, hired by the defense, 
found that Spires was clinically insane at the time of the alleged attack, and therefore can invoke an insanity defense.

Dr. Terry Killian, also a forensic psychiatrist, found that Spires was able to form criminal intent and therefore is subject to regular criminal proceedings and sentencing. Killian’s evaluation was done at the prosecution’s request.

Spires, 54, already is serving 262 years for eight rapes committed between 1976 and 1984. He will be eligible for parole in May 2045, 1 month shy of his 90th birthday.