Hearing held to decide release of sexual predator

BLOOMINGTON -- A hearing is being held in McLean County Circuit Court to determine if a man who has been held in a facility for the sexually dangerous since he was 15 years old should be released.

John Guthrie was committed indefinitely after authorities learned of accusations he molested six children. In 1995 a judge deemed him a sexually dangerous person.

On Tuesday, psychiatrist Dr. Angeline Stanislaus voiced her opposition to Guthrie's release.

Stanislaus said Guthrie's original diagnosis was generalized sexual deviancy. She said that opinion was changed to include pedophiliac tendencies when it was learned Guthrie had expressed sexual fantasies involving minors after he turned 16.

Stanislaus said Guthrie, formally of Bloomington, is not in remission, which makes him dangerous.