Judge found not guilty by reason of insanity

A Cook County judge has been found not guilty by reason of insanity on a misdemeanor battery charge in connection with an altercation with a sheriff’s deputy.

Judge Cynthia Brim in March was accused of throwing a set of keys and shoving a sheriff’s deputy at a security checkpoint. A day earlier, authorities say Brim was seen acting erratically on the bench in Markham.

A panel of presiding judges removed Brim from the bench because of her actions. Despite the charge, Brim in November won retention to the bench.

Brim had been hospitalized at least five times with psychotic symptoms since 1993, a year before she became a judge.

Forensic Mathew Markos says Brim suffers from a bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder and had been taking medication but stopped.