Belleville man unfit to stand trial in shooting death, Washington County judge rules
A Washington County judge has declared a Belleville man unfit to stand trial for his alleged role in a shooting death.
Milton Robinson, 58, was charged with first-degree murder along with two others in the July 2023 shooting death of 44-year-old Montez Pearson, of East St. Louis.
A hearing to determine his fitness to stand trial was scheduled for June 18, but without objection from the county prosecutor, the judge on Tuesday cited a mental evaluation report presented by defense attorney Paige Clark Strawn and made the early ruling.
“Parties stipulate that if Dr. (Daniel) Cuneo were called to testify that he would testify substantially as contained in his report,” according to court records. “Based on that, the Court finds that the Defendant is unfit to stand trial and that there is a substantial probability that if provided with a course of inpatient (treatment), the Defendant would attain fitness within the course of one year.”
Strawn raised concern about Robinson’s fitness for trial in February, “based on her conversations with him and his demeanor,” according to court records. With Tuesday’s ruling on his fitness, Robinson was turned over to custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
In an interview Thursday, Strawn said she could not be specific about her clients “multiple” conditions other than to say his medical records reflect a “lengthy history of issues.” She said Robinson likely will be sent to Alton Mental Health Center for treatment.
“When he gets fit, God willing, he’ll come back and stand trial,” she said. “Right now, he cannot communicate to help me with his defense. … I think it’ll be a matter of getting him back to taking his medication regularly.
“I’m surprised it took him this long to disintegrate, for lack of a better word, because he’s been off his medications for some time.”
Robinson’s progress will be assessed in place of the previously scheduled fitness hearing in June, Strawn said.
According to charging documents, Pearson was shot in the head with a shotgun. His body was found on July 19 west of Nashville in the area of Lunte Creek Road, according to Illinois State Police.
Kevin Loucks, 44, also of Belleville, already has been convicted of murder in connection with Person’s death. Loucks was arrested July 23 after a search warrant was executed at his residence in Belleville. Robinson and Sanders were arrested shortly after.
A third suspect, Arrion Sanders, 46, is scheduled on April 2. According to Washington County court records, Sanders has filed an affirmative defense, meaning he admits his involvement in Pearson’s death, but will present evidence in a trial intended to legally justify his actions.
During the investigation, Illinois State Police received assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Belleville Police Department.
