Man Who Injured Joliet Police Chief Isn't Mentally Sound: Judge

JOLIET, IL — Joshua Medina, the man authorities say attacked Joliet's off-duty Police Chief Bill Evans outside the CUT 158 Chophouse, now has his court proceedings at the Will County Courthouse on indefinite hold because of mental competency issues.

When Joliet Patch covered Medina'a first court appearance in front of Will County Judge Donald DeWilkins, the 39-year-old Medina was constantly mumbling, talking over the judge's instructions and muttering during the entire court proceedings.

For the Oct. 25 incident in downtown Joliet, Medina is being charged with four aggravated batteries, three counts of resisting a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer and two counts of battery by the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow.

Now it's unclear if and when Medina will ever stand trial at the Will County Courthouse in connection with the 10 criminal charges filed against the Joliet homeless man.

Back in October, Joliet Patch reported that Will County's prosecutors and Joliet police officials said the following events led to Medina's arrest in the 100 block of North Chicago Street:

First, Chief Evans and the owner of CUT 158 Chophouse were standing in the lobby of 116 North Chicago Street, the Two Rialto Square Building, when officials say Medina walked toward the entrance and tried to enter the building's locked doors. Medina had been going through an ashtray outside.

Restaurant owner Bill Dimitroulas told Medina he needed to leave the property, and Medina refused to leave, hurling profanities at the Joliet restaurant owner, according to police.

Officials said Medina punched Dimitroulas in the chest and Chief Evans tried to intervene, identifying himself as the chief of police, showing his ID and telling Medina to leave. Evans indicated that Medina was under arrest and while he was trying to make the arrest, police said Medina punched Evans in the face, causing a minor injury.

Officials said Medina clawed at the chief's face, causing bleeding to the middle of the chief's nose and scratching to the chief's right eye, and also tried to spit on Joliet's chief, and bit Evans' right hand, causing a bleeding cut to the chief's finger.

Evans told Joliet Patch on Monday that the only reason why he went to the hospital was at the request of the Joliet Fire Department, because Medina had cut open his skin. Evans stressed that he was not beaten or seriously injured by Medina.

Back on Dec. 1, the following court proceedings happened in front of Will County Judge Dave Carlson: The prosecution was represented by Sarah Romero and Assistant Will County Public Defender Zack Strupeck appeared for Medina.

Judge Carlson heard that Medina refused to leave his cell at the Will County Jail to come to court that morning. In Courtroom 405, in Medina's absence, both sides agreed to the findings from a mental fitness evaluation for Medina. As a result, the judge found Medina unfit to stand trial, but his mental competency may be restored within the next year, court files reflect.

As a result, Carlson ordered the Illinois Department of Human Services to intervene and determine a suitable placement for Medina.

Typically, inmates needing intensive psychiatric services are either sent to Elgin or Chester.

Carlson has set Jan. 9 for an update on Medina's status regarding placement for treatment. For now, Medina's felony charges in the attack upon Chief Evans, plus Medina's pending criminal charges for a September arrest by Joliet police, in which Medina is accused of punching another person in the face, are both on hold.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

10 Charges for Man Who Bit, Clawed, Punched Police Chief: Prosecutors

Police Chief Taken To Hospital After Downtown Attack, 1 Arrested

Body Camera Won't Be Released In Attack On Joliet's Chief: English