Lombard man accused of shooting threat unfit for trial
A Lombard man accused of threatening to go on a “Columbine-type” shooting spree at the DuPage County courthouse was found mentally unfit for trial Tuesday.
Judge Robert Kleeman made the finding based on recent psychological reports for 31-year-old Daniel P. McDade.
McDade is accused of threatening on Facebook in April to shoot children, police officers and public officials at the judicial center in Wheaton. Prosecutors say he was angry because his probation officer made him take a drug test, according to court records.
In court Tuesday, the judge said psychological evaluations by both a court-appointed psychiatrist and a defense psychiatrist determined McDade is presently unable to comprehend legal proceedings and may have difficulty communicating with his defense attorney, Stephen Komie.
Assistant State’s Attorney David Bayer said McDade would be transferred to the Illinois Department of Human Services, which will develop a treatment plan with a goal of restoring him to fitness within a year.
Komie said his client has a “mental health history that dates back a long time.”
“The poor fellow was in a psychotic state in the early part of 2013 and it’s not surprising there might be some ramblings on a Facebook page,” Komie said, adding McDade has no history of violence. “He’s not capable of doing anything to harm a soul. He’s in need of chronic psychiatric care.”
During the hearing, McDade passed a note to Komie, who read it to the judge. In the note, McDade argued he was “questioned improperly” by police and asked that all charges be dismissed.
Kleeman said the defense could raise that issue in court once McDade’s mental fitness is restored.
McDade, of the 2700 block of Highland Avenue, was arrested in Denver, Colo., in April and waived extradition to return to Illinois in May. He was being held on $250,000 bail Tuesday and is due back in court July 23.