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St. Charles man charged with trying to kill wife says he has amnesia

A Kane County judge Tuesday ordered an evaluation for a St. Charles man accused of beating and shooting at his wife to determine if his claims of amnesia are true and if he is fit to stand trial for attempted murder.

"It's my call," said Judge D.J. Tegeler in ordering the Kane County Diagnostic Center to do an evaluation on Scott Turyna, 67, to determine whether Tegeler has a bona fide doubt as to Turyna's fitness. "I decided on my discretion not to force this gentleman into trial today."

Turyna is accused of severely beating his wife, who has since divorced him, at their home on Hunt Club Drive in May 2016. The bloodied woman opened the home's garage door, according to police and court records, ran out and fell down on the driveway.

Steve Spurling and his wife were walking their dog past the home at the time. Diane Spurling went to comfort the woman and the two began walking away when, authorities say, Turyna came outside and opened fire.

Steve Spurling disarmed Turyna and detained him until police arrived; no one was hit by the bullets.

Defense attorney Alison Motta told Tegeler Tuesday and last Thursday that Turyna has no recollection of the episode - except for firing the final shot, which he says was straight in the air and not at his wife - and cannot help his lawyers in his defense.

"This is one of the most serious issues dealing with his right to a fair trial," Motta said.

Turyna's trial was to begin Tuesday, but Motta last week requested an evaluation. Tegeler questioned why, if defense attorneys knew of the memory issue a year and a half ago, it was only coming to light now.

"To say that I was angry would be an understatement," Tegeler said Tuesday.

Tegeler also expressed frustration with Motta, and her law partner Robert Motta, saying one might think they were "playing games" with the court by saying Turyna was indigent and couldn't afford an expert, but over the weekend obtained sworn affidavits from two of Turyna's hand-picked experts.

Turyna's attorneys asked to allow him to pay for an evaluation from a third party. Tegeler rejected that and will consider the county's evaluation Oct. 23.

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