Expert: Lombard murder suspect fit to stand trial

A one-time football standout with NFL potential and a long history of mental illness may be ready to stand trial for his Lombard neighbor's murder now that experts have deemed his fitness restored.

Hubert D. Thompson, 29, is accused of hurling his 66-year-old neighbor to his death March 30, 2007, over a third-floor railing, sparking a seven-hour standoff on Lombard's southwest side.

Authorities said Thompson confessed during a videotaped police interview to killing James A. Malone after accusing the neighbor of trying to poison him.

DuPage Circuit Judge Peter J. Dockery sent Thompson to the Elgin Mental Health Center for treatment last year after a court-appointed forensic psychologist found him temporarily unfit because the defendant had trouble understanding the legal proceedings.

Thompson has a history of mental illness, including prior hospital stays, and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia with delusional thinking. He also has a learning disability.

In a recent report, Jeff Pharis, the Elgin center's forensic program director, informed court officials that Thompson's fitness has been restored through psychotropic medications and his participation in various treatment groups.

Pharis said Thompson no longer suffers delusions, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts. He said the defendant has a good understanding of the legal process and is oriented, alert and doing well at the center. His psychiatrist and social worker agree Thompson is fit.

Dockery is expected to schedule another fitness hearing within 23 days, as required by law. The judge must find Thompson fit before his case will proceed.

The fatal melee began on the 100 block of South Finley Road after neighbors said they heard a commotion, including a scream and loud thud. Police found Malone severely injured and sprawled on the pavement. He was pronounced dead that night.

Thompson, who had retreated alone and unarmed to his sister's nearby apartment, peacefully surrendered seven hours later.

At Proviso West High School in Hillside, the 6-foot, 5-inch Thompson ran a 4.7 40-yard dash and bench pressed 375 pounds. He was the nation's top-rated defensive end prospect his senior year in 1996-1997. He also won back-to-back state heavyweight wrestling titles.

After high school, he went to Michigan State but sat out his first two seasons because of poor grades. During the 1999 season, he was named the team's most-improved player and recording 45 tackles and seven sacks.

Thompson left college early to declare for the NFL draft, but he was not selected. The New Orleans Saints signed the free agent in 2000, but he never played a down in the league. He was cut from the team two days into workouts after a sideline dispute with a veteran teammate.

Thompson played for the Chicago Enforcers of the failed XFL in 2001.