Evaluation ordered for woman charged in random stabbing at Hampshire McDonald's

A mental fitness evaluation has been ordered for a 24-year-old New York woman accused of a random, unprovoked stabbing of a man at a Hampshire-area McDonald's last week.

Amara J. Duran, of Brooklyn, is being held on $800,000 bail at the Kane County jail facing felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery in a public place, according to Kane County court records.

She is accused of stabbing a 36-year-old Canadian man about 4:10 p.m. Dec. 4, at McDonald's, 19N649 Route 20, Hampshire Police Chief Brian Thompson said. The man, who did not know Duran, suffered a one-inch wound to his neck that was not life-threatening, Thompson said.

"It was a random act, as far as we can tell," Thompson said. "It's disturbing you could be minding your own business and be attacked that way."

According to police, Duran had been at the McDonald's for about three to four hours before the attack. After the victim ordered food and sat down, Duran walked over and stabbed him, authorities said. The knife fell to the floor, but she picked it up and took another swipe at the man before leaving the restaurant, Thompson said.

Duran did not say anything to the man before the attack, which was captured on security video, police said.

Police scoured restaurants near Interstate 90 and Route 20 before learning Duran was at a Rockford hotel. She was arrested Dec. 6 with help from police in Stockton, Illinois, who stopped a bus that she was riding in, Thompson said.

Duran refused to talk to police after her arrest without a lawyer or judge present, Thompson said.

Kane County Assistant Public Defender Julie Yetter asked a judge order a fitness evaluation because "a bona fide doubt exists to (Duran's) fitness," according to court records. Yetter hopes the evaluation can be completed in time for Duran's next court appearance Jan. 4.

If Duran is ruled unfit to stand trial, she will be sent to the state's Department of Human Services for up to a year for her fitness to be restored.

The felony charges against her carry a punishment ranging from probation to up to five years in prison if she's convicted.