Suspect in Link forgery unfit for trial

One of two men accused of forging signatures on nominating petitions for State Sen. Terry Link was found unfit to stand trial Wednesday.

Jerry Knight, 50, of Zion, suffers from mental illness and cannot understand the charges against him or assist in his own defense, attorneys told Lake County Circuit Judge John Phillips.

Knight and Kenneth Davison, 40, were charged in August with forgery and perjury for submitting petitions to place Link's name on the February primary ballot.

Officials said the two were among a group of people paid to circulate petitions for Link, who has not been charged in the case and has cooperated with the investigation.

Defense attorney Ian Kasper told Phillips his client is already under the care of a psychiatrist in Minnesota, where he lives with relatives.

Charles Zalar, an attorney for the appellate prosecutor's office who is prosecuting the case, did not object to Kasper's request to an order finding Knight unfit after reviewing the report from the psychiatrist.

Phillips also granted Kasper's request to have Knight remain in the care of the Minnesota psychiatrist, rather than transfer Knight to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Phillips asked for a report in 90 days from the psychiatrist detailing Knight's treatment program and prognosis for regaining fitness for trial.

Phillips set a court date of March 5 to review the report.

Davison, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 7. He faces a maximum of five years in prison if convicted of the charges.