Judge: Quincy man accused in beating death mentally fit

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) - A western Illinois judge has concluded that a Quincy man charged with first-degree murder is mentally fit.

The Quincy Herald-Whig (http://bit.ly/1EXSuZN) reports that Adams County Circuit Judge William Mays ruled that 51-year-old David Masterson will be able to go to trial if a preliminary hearing Tuesday determines there's probable cause to believe Masterson committed the crime.

Mays says he made the ruling after reviewing a Quincy psychologist's findings about his evaluation of Masterson.

Masterson is charged with two first-degree murder counts related to the Dec. 13 death of 41-year-old Jason Tournear.

Authorities allege that Masterson pummeled Tournear with a metal pipe in a Quincy apartment after an argument.

Masterson is jailed in lieu of $5 million bond.

Masterson's public defenders have not returned telephone messages seeking comment.

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Information from: The Quincy Herald-Whig, http://www.whig.com