more info Tiny Ill. town rattled by killings blamed on teen - 2 dead - antidepressants prescribed within weeks of murders

[Guest guest]

Here is more information on this tragic case.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ssristories.com/show.php?item=4735

Paragraph 27 reads: " Judge McHaney

also heard a defense motion for the county to pay for an

adolescent

psychiatrist McWard said may link Baker’s behavior that day to the

drug,

Cymbalta."

http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x901776854/Attorneys-argue-to-suppress-teens-statements-confession

February 16, 2011

Attorney's

argue to suppress teen's statements, confession

Thoele

Effingham Daily News

The Effingham Daily News

Wed

Feb 16, 2011, 07:48 AM CST

VANDALIA ­ Attorneys for a Loogootee teen charged with murdering a

couple

who lived nearby tried to suppress statements made by the teen,

including

a videotaped confession that was viewed in court Tuesday.

The attorneys claim law enforcement officials coerced

15-year-old Clifford W. Baker into making statements and a

confession

they say were involuntary and violated his constitutional rights.

The

motion also alleges Baker was not allowed contact with his family.

Baker

is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and home

invasion in

connection with the deaths of Mahon and Debra Tish on Aug.

4.

In an at times emotional hearing that included

testimony from Baker’s father and law enforcement officers who

responded

that morning, witnesses recounted the events the morning of the

murders

that started when Baker woke his father, Jeff Goldman, about 3

a.m.

because he couldn’t sleep.

Goldman testified he then awoke a half an hour later

to his son shaking and saying, “I killed ’em, I killed ’em all.”

Goldman’s girlfriend at the time, a , who

was living at the residence with Goldman, testified she thought

Baker was

dreaming.

“He kept talking in gibberish. Nothing made sense,”

she said.

reiterated that Baker said he had killed, but

thought he said “I killed my ma,” referring to Goldman’s deceased

mother,

who Baker referred to as ma.

“I said, ‘he’s dreaming. He thinks he killed your

mom,’” said as she choked up on the stand.

After police arrived, Goldman and couldn’t

recall during testimony where Baker was after he was tasered by

police

who, along with Goldman, tried to calm him down as he was

screaming and

acting irrational.

Goldman said it was not until he called the sheriff’s

department that he was notified his son was in the hospital. As

they were

questioned, the two said they were told not to leave the property

that

morning.

Illinois State Police Investigator Albert Gallatin

testified Goldman granted him verbal permission to question his

son about

what happened earlier that morning because Goldman wanted to know

what

happened. He also gave permission for his house to be searched,

said the

investigator.

However, Goldman testified that he was not informed by

police that he had the right to be present during questioning or

that

Baker had a right to an attorney. He also was not told any

information he

gave could incriminate his son.

When questioned, Goldman said he and were not

told where Baker was, but admitted he didn’t recall asking about

his

son’s whereabouts. Officers also testified Baker’s father did not

ask

where his son was and was given a number to call if he had any

questions.

A juvenile officer was called to the scene before

Baker was taken to the hospital and another was present during

questioning. Baker was made aware such an officer was present

during

questioning, but the defendant’s attorneys pointed out it was not

explained to him the duties of a juvenile officer to act as an

advocate

for Baker.

In the hours following the murders, it was discovered

Baker had taken an estimated six pills of the anti-depressant

Cymbalta

prescribed to him following a suicidal episode a couple of weeks

earlier

in which Baker attempted to kill himself by firing a gun into his

right

abdomen and then fatally shooting his dog. Baker did not incur

major

injury from the shooting.

Baker also confessed that in the hours before the

shootings, he had consumed beer, vodka, marijuana and a handful of

pills,

he identified as Zanax.

Baker was taken by ambulance to Fayette County

Hospital where blood and urine samples were taken and was

accompanied by

an Illinois State trooper, who said Baker was talkative.

“Baker said ‘they’re going to execute me,’ after

needles were inserted to draw blood,” said trooper

Hesetlon.

Hesetlon said she again advised Baker of his Miranda

rights after Baker was Mirandized at his father’s house by another

officer. However, Baker was not given a paper to sign documenting

he had

been read his Miranda rights until the taped confession.

The confession was taped later the same morning of the

shooting while Baker was at the hospital. Gallatin awoke Baker,

who had

only been sleeping for about an hour and was handcuffed to the bed

naked

with only a sheet. Lying in bed, Baker appeared calm, but sleepy.

Gallatin said he did not interview Baker before the confession and

the

only words spoken off camera were to ask for his permission to

record the

interview.

In the confession, which brought tears to Baker and

the victims’ families during viewing, Baker said he got drunk

following a

fight with his dad, who he said drank and they often argued. As

Baker

recounted the early morning events, he was inaudible and would

periodically stray from the events, mumbling about a man giving

him pills

to kill his father.

But as Gallatin would repeatedly go over the events,

Baker became more alert and sat up. He recalled the shootings and

hitting

a woman, Tish and Mahon’s neighbor, with a knife he found in the

shooting

victims’ home.

Baker said he had no personal problems with the couple

and shot them because he was scared of going to jail.

“If you could say anything to those people, what would

it be,” asked Gallatin during the confession.

“I’m sorry. I wish it would have been me instead of

you,” he answered.

During the hearing, Baker’s attorneys contended his

mental capacity also should be a factor in suppressing the

statements and

confession along with his age, education and intelligence.

Attorney

Monroe McWard noted Baker is a special education student with an

IQ of

85. However, Fayette County State’s Attorney Friedel

pointed out

Baker was a good student in first and second grade.

Judge McHaney also heard a defense motion for

the county to pay for an adolescent psychiatrist McWard said may

link

Baker’s behavior that day to the drug, Cymbalta.

The judge took issue with the psychiatrist’s estimated

fee of $400 an hour, anticipating the total cost could exceed

$50,000.

However, McWard said the psychiatrist’s cost estimate is about

$15,000.

He further said he and two other attorneys have currently not been

paid

in representing Baker, who as a minor is indigent. He added the

child

developmental psychiatrist is essential to the case and the

defense has

no way to pay for it.

“I believe everyone is entitled to a defense with

every fiber of my being. Issue is am I obligated to make Fayette

County

pay for it,” said McHaney.

Friedel questioned since Baker was voluntarily

intoxicated with other substances besides Cymbalta, whether a

psychiatrist is even relevant. McWard countered Baker was

prescribed the drug even though it carries a warning not to

prescribe to

people under 18.

The judge will issue a written order on the motions.

In the meantime, Friedel said he would search for other

psychiatrists who

may be more affordable.

Thoele can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 126

or

cathy.thoele@....

[Guest guest]

Here is more information on this tragic case.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ssristories.com/show.php?item=4735

Paragraph 27 reads: " Judge McHaney

also heard a defense motion for the county to pay for an

adolescent

psychiatrist McWard said may link Baker’s behavior that day to the

drug,

Cymbalta."

http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x901776854/Attorneys-argue-to-suppress-teens-statements-confession

February 16, 2011

Attorney's

argue to suppress teen's statements, confession

Thoele

Effingham Daily News

The Effingham Daily News

Wed

Feb 16, 2011, 07:48 AM CST

VANDALIA ­ Attorneys for a Loogootee teen charged with murdering a

couple

who lived nearby tried to suppress statements made by the teen,

including

a videotaped confession that was viewed in court Tuesday.

The attorneys claim law enforcement officials coerced

15-year-old Clifford W. Baker into making statements and a

confession

they say were involuntary and violated his constitutional rights.

The

motion also alleges Baker was not allowed contact with his family.

Baker

is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and home

invasion in

connection with the deaths of Mahon and Debra Tish on Aug.

4.

In an at times emotional hearing that included

testimony from Baker’s father and law enforcement officers who

responded

that morning, witnesses recounted the events the morning of the

murders

that started when Baker woke his father, Jeff Goldman, about 3

a.m.

because he couldn’t sleep.

Goldman testified he then awoke a half an hour later

to his son shaking and saying, “I killed ’em, I killed ’em all.”

Goldman’s girlfriend at the time, a , who

was living at the residence with Goldman, testified she thought

Baker was

dreaming.

“He kept talking in gibberish. Nothing made sense,”

she said.

reiterated that Baker said he had killed, but

thought he said “I killed my ma,” referring to Goldman’s deceased

mother,

who Baker referred to as ma.

“I said, ‘he’s dreaming. He thinks he killed your

mom,’” said as she choked up on the stand.

After police arrived, Goldman and couldn’t

recall during testimony where Baker was after he was tasered by

police

who, along with Goldman, tried to calm him down as he was

screaming and

acting irrational.

Goldman said it was not until he called the sheriff’s

department that he was notified his son was in the hospital. As

they were

questioned, the two said they were told not to leave the property

that

morning.

Illinois State Police Investigator Albert Gallatin

testified Goldman granted him verbal permission to question his

son about

what happened earlier that morning because Goldman wanted to know

what

happened. He also gave permission for his house to be searched,

said the

investigator.

However, Goldman testified that he was not informed by

police that he had the right to be present during questioning or

that

Baker had a right to an attorney. He also was not told any

information he

gave could incriminate his son.

When questioned, Goldman said he and were not

told where Baker was, but admitted he didn’t recall asking about

his

son’s whereabouts. Officers also testified Baker’s father did not

ask

where his son was and was given a number to call if he had any

questions.

A juvenile officer was called to the scene before

Baker was taken to the hospital and another was present during

questioning. Baker was made aware such an officer was present

during

questioning, but the defendant’s attorneys pointed out it was not

explained to him the duties of a juvenile officer to act as an

advocate

for Baker.

In the hours following the murders, it was discovered

Baker had taken an estimated six pills of the anti-depressant

Cymbalta

prescribed to him following a suicidal episode a couple of weeks

earlier

in which Baker attempted to kill himself by firing a gun into his

right

abdomen and then fatally shooting his dog. Baker did not incur

major

injury from the shooting.

Baker also confessed that in the hours before the

shootings, he had consumed beer, vodka, marijuana and a handful of

pills,

he identified as Zanax.

Baker was taken by ambulance to Fayette County

Hospital where blood and urine samples were taken and was

accompanied by

an Illinois State trooper, who said Baker was talkative.

“Baker said ‘they’re going to execute me,’ after

needles were inserted to draw blood,” said trooper

Hesetlon.

Hesetlon said she again advised Baker of his Miranda

rights after Baker was Mirandized at his father’s house by another

officer. However, Baker was not given a paper to sign documenting

he had

been read his Miranda rights until the taped confession.

The confession was taped later the same morning of the

shooting while Baker was at the hospital. Gallatin awoke Baker,

who had

only been sleeping for about an hour and was handcuffed to the bed

naked

with only a sheet. Lying in bed, Baker appeared calm, but sleepy.

Gallatin said he did not interview Baker before the confession and

the

only words spoken off camera were to ask for his permission to

record the

interview.

In the confession, which brought tears to Baker and

the victims’ families during viewing, Baker said he got drunk

following a

fight with his dad, who he said drank and they often argued. As

Baker

recounted the early morning events, he was inaudible and would

periodically stray from the events, mumbling about a man giving

him pills

to kill his father.

But as Gallatin would repeatedly go over the events,

Baker became more alert and sat up. He recalled the shootings and

hitting

a woman, Tish and Mahon’s neighbor, with a knife he found in the

shooting

victims’ home.

Baker said he had no personal problems with the couple

and shot them because he was scared of going to jail.

“If you could say anything to those people, what would

it be,” asked Gallatin during the confession.

“I’m sorry. I wish it would have been me instead of

you,” he answered.

During the hearing, Baker’s attorneys contended his

mental capacity also should be a factor in suppressing the

statements and

confession along with his age, education and intelligence.

Attorney

Monroe McWard noted Baker is a special education student with an

IQ of

85. However, Fayette County State’s Attorney Friedel

pointed out

Baker was a good student in first and second grade.

Judge McHaney also heard a defense motion for

the county to pay for an adolescent psychiatrist McWard said may

link

Baker’s behavior that day to the drug, Cymbalta.

The judge took issue with the psychiatrist’s estimated

fee of $400 an hour, anticipating the total cost could exceed

$50,000.

However, McWard said the psychiatrist’s cost estimate is about

$15,000.

He further said he and two other attorneys have currently not been

paid

in representing Baker, who as a minor is indigent. He added the

child

developmental psychiatrist is essential to the case and the

defense has

no way to pay for it.

“I believe everyone is entitled to a defense with

every fiber of my being. Issue is am I obligated to make Fayette

County

pay for it,” said McHaney.

Friedel questioned since Baker was voluntarily

intoxicated with other substances besides Cymbalta, whether a

psychiatrist is even relevant. McWard countered Baker was

prescribed the drug even though it carries a warning not to

prescribe to

people under 18.

The judge will issue a written order on the motions.

In the meantime, Friedel said he would search for other

psychiatrists who

may be more affordable.

Thoele can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 126

or

cathy.thoele@....

[Guest guest]

Here is more information on this tragic case.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ssristories.com/show.php?item=4735

Paragraph 27 reads: " Judge McHaney

also heard a defense motion for the county to pay for an

adolescent

psychiatrist McWard said may link Baker’s behavior that day to the

drug,

Cymbalta."

http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x901776854/Attorneys-argue-to-suppress-teens-statements-confession

February 16, 2011

Attorney's

argue to suppress teen's statements, confession

Thoele

Effingham Daily News

The Effingham Daily News

Wed

Feb 16, 2011, 07:48 AM CST

VANDALIA ­ Attorneys for a Loogootee teen charged with murdering a

couple

who lived nearby tried to suppress statements made by the teen,

including

a videotaped confession that was viewed in court Tuesday.

The attorneys claim law enforcement officials coerced

15-year-old Clifford W. Baker into making statements and a

confession

they say were involuntary and violated his constitutional rights.

The

motion also alleges Baker was not allowed contact with his family.

Baker

is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and home

invasion in

connection with the deaths of Mahon and Debra Tish on Aug.

4.

In an at times emotional hearing that included

testimony from Baker’s father and law enforcement officers who

responded

that morning, witnesses recounted the events the morning of the

murders

that started when Baker woke his father, Jeff Goldman, about 3

a.m.

because he couldn’t sleep.

Goldman testified he then awoke a half an hour later

to his son shaking and saying, “I killed ’em, I killed ’em all.”

Goldman’s girlfriend at the time, a , who

was living at the residence with Goldman, testified she thought

Baker was

dreaming.

“He kept talking in gibberish. Nothing made sense,”

she said.

reiterated that Baker said he had killed, but

thought he said “I killed my ma,” referring to Goldman’s deceased

mother,

who Baker referred to as ma.

“I said, ‘he’s dreaming. He thinks he killed your

mom,’” said as she choked up on the stand.

After police arrived, Goldman and couldn’t

recall during testimony where Baker was after he was tasered by

police

who, along with Goldman, tried to calm him down as he was

screaming and

acting irrational.

Goldman said it was not until he called the sheriff’s

department that he was notified his son was in the hospital. As

they were

questioned, the two said they were told not to leave the property

that

morning.

Illinois State Police Investigator Albert Gallatin

testified Goldman granted him verbal permission to question his

son about

what happened earlier that morning because Goldman wanted to know

what

happened. He also gave permission for his house to be searched,

said the

investigator.

However, Goldman testified that he was not informed by

police that he had the right to be present during questioning or

that

Baker had a right to an attorney. He also was not told any

information he

gave could incriminate his son.

When questioned, Goldman said he and were not

told where Baker was, but admitted he didn’t recall asking about

his

son’s whereabouts. Officers also testified Baker’s father did not

ask

where his son was and was given a number to call if he had any

questions.

A juvenile officer was called to the scene before

Baker was taken to the hospital and another was present during

questioning. Baker was made aware such an officer was present

during

questioning, but the defendant’s attorneys pointed out it was not

explained to him the duties of a juvenile officer to act as an

advocate

for Baker.

In the hours following the murders, it was discovered

Baker had taken an estimated six pills of the anti-depressant

Cymbalta

prescribed to him following a suicidal episode a couple of weeks

earlier

in which Baker attempted to kill himself by firing a gun into his

right

abdomen and then fatally shooting his dog. Baker did not incur

major

injury from the shooting.

Baker also confessed that in the hours before the

shootings, he had consumed beer, vodka, marijuana and a handful of

pills,

he identified as Zanax.

Baker was taken by ambulance to Fayette County

Hospital where blood and urine samples were taken and was

accompanied by

an Illinois State trooper, who said Baker was talkative.

“Baker said ‘they’re going to execute me,’ after

needles were inserted to draw blood,” said trooper

Hesetlon.

Hesetlon said she again advised Baker of his Miranda

rights after Baker was Mirandized at his father’s house by another

officer. However, Baker was not given a paper to sign documenting

he had

been read his Miranda rights until the taped confession.

The confession was taped later the same morning of the

shooting while Baker was at the hospital. Gallatin awoke Baker,

who had

only been sleeping for about an hour and was handcuffed to the bed

naked

with only a sheet. Lying in bed, Baker appeared calm, but sleepy.

Gallatin said he did not interview Baker before the confession and

the

only words spoken off camera were to ask for his permission to

record the

interview.

In the confession, which brought tears to Baker and

the victims’ families during viewing, Baker said he got drunk

following a

fight with his dad, who he said drank and they often argued. As

Baker

recounted the early morning events, he was inaudible and would

periodically stray from the events, mumbling about a man giving

him pills

to kill his father.

But as Gallatin would repeatedly go over the events,

Baker became more alert and sat up. He recalled the shootings and

hitting

a woman, Tish and Mahon’s neighbor, with a knife he found in the

shooting

victims’ home.

Baker said he had no personal problems with the couple

and shot them because he was scared of going to jail.

“If you could say anything to those people, what would

it be,” asked Gallatin during the confession.

“I’m sorry. I wish it would have been me instead of

you,” he answered.

During the hearing, Baker’s attorneys contended his

mental capacity also should be a factor in suppressing the

statements and

confession along with his age, education and intelligence.

Attorney

Monroe McWard noted Baker is a special education student with an

IQ of

85. However, Fayette County State’s Attorney Friedel

pointed out

Baker was a good student in first and second grade.

Judge McHaney also heard a defense motion for

the county to pay for an adolescent psychiatrist McWard said may

link

Baker’s behavior that day to the drug, Cymbalta.

The judge took issue with the psychiatrist’s estimated

fee of $400 an hour, anticipating the total cost could exceed

$50,000.

However, McWard said the psychiatrist’s cost estimate is about

$15,000.

He further said he and two other attorneys have currently not been

paid

in representing Baker, who as a minor is indigent. He added the

child

developmental psychiatrist is essential to the case and the

defense has

no way to pay for it.

“I believe everyone is entitled to a defense with

every fiber of my being. Issue is am I obligated to make Fayette

County

pay for it,” said McHaney.

Friedel questioned since Baker was voluntarily

intoxicated with other substances besides Cymbalta, whether a

psychiatrist is even relevant. McWard countered Baker was

prescribed the drug even though it carries a warning not to

prescribe to

people under 18.

The judge will issue a written order on the motions.

In the meantime, Friedel said he would search for other

psychiatrists who

may be more affordable.

Thoele can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 126

or

cathy.thoele@....

[Guest guest]

Here is more information on this tragic case.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ssristories.com/show.php?item=4735

Paragraph 27 reads: " Judge McHaney

also heard a defense motion for the county to pay for an

adolescent

psychiatrist McWard said may link Baker’s behavior that day to the

drug,

Cymbalta."

http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x901776854/Attorneys-argue-to-suppress-teens-statements-confession

February 16, 2011

Attorney's

argue to suppress teen's statements, confession

Thoele

Effingham Daily News

The Effingham Daily News

Wed

Feb 16, 2011, 07:48 AM CST

VANDALIA ­ Attorneys for a Loogootee teen charged with murdering a

couple

who lived nearby tried to suppress statements made by the teen,

including

a videotaped confession that was viewed in court Tuesday.

The attorneys claim law enforcement officials coerced

15-year-old Clifford W. Baker into making statements and a

confession

they say were involuntary and violated his constitutional rights.

The

motion also alleges Baker was not allowed contact with his family.

Baker

is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and home

invasion in

connection with the deaths of Mahon and Debra Tish on Aug.

4.

In an at times emotional hearing that included

testimony from Baker’s father and law enforcement officers who

responded

that morning, witnesses recounted the events the morning of the

murders

that started when Baker woke his father, Jeff Goldman, about 3

a.m.

because he couldn’t sleep.

Goldman testified he then awoke a half an hour later

to his son shaking and saying, “I killed ’em, I killed ’em all.”

Goldman’s girlfriend at the time, a , who

was living at the residence with Goldman, testified she thought

Baker was

dreaming.

“He kept talking in gibberish. Nothing made sense,”

she said.

reiterated that Baker said he had killed, but

thought he said “I killed my ma,” referring to Goldman’s deceased

mother,

who Baker referred to as ma.

“I said, ‘he’s dreaming. He thinks he killed your

mom,’” said as she choked up on the stand.

After police arrived, Goldman and couldn’t

recall during testimony where Baker was after he was tasered by

police

who, along with Goldman, tried to calm him down as he was

screaming and

acting irrational.

Goldman said it was not until he called the sheriff’s

department that he was notified his son was in the hospital. As

they were

questioned, the two said they were told not to leave the property

that

morning.

Illinois State Police Investigator Albert Gallatin

testified Goldman granted him verbal permission to question his

son about

what happened earlier that morning because Goldman wanted to know

what

happened. He also gave permission for his house to be searched,

said the

investigator.

However, Goldman testified that he was not informed by

police that he had the right to be present during questioning or

that

Baker had a right to an attorney. He also was not told any

information he

gave could incriminate his son.

When questioned, Goldman said he and were not

told where Baker was, but admitted he didn’t recall asking about

his

son’s whereabouts. Officers also testified Baker’s father did not

ask

where his son was and was given a number to call if he had any

questions.

A juvenile officer was called to the scene before

Baker was taken to the hospital and another was present during

questioning. Baker was made aware such an officer was present

during

questioning, but the defendant’s attorneys pointed out it was not

explained to him the duties of a juvenile officer to act as an

advocate

for Baker.

In the hours following the murders, it was discovered

Baker had taken an estimated six pills of the anti-depressant

Cymbalta

prescribed to him following a suicidal episode a couple of weeks

earlier

in which Baker attempted to kill himself by firing a gun into his

right

abdomen and then fatally shooting his dog. Baker did not incur

major

injury from the shooting.

Baker also confessed that in the hours before the

shootings, he had consumed beer, vodka, marijuana and a handful of

pills,

he identified as Zanax.

Baker was taken by ambulance to Fayette County

Hospital where blood and urine samples were taken and was

accompanied by

an Illinois State trooper, who said Baker was talkative.

“Baker said ‘they’re going to execute me,’ after

needles were inserted to draw blood,” said trooper

Hesetlon.

Hesetlon said she again advised Baker of his Miranda

rights after Baker was Mirandized at his father’s house by another

officer. However, Baker was not given a paper to sign documenting

he had

been read his Miranda rights until the taped confession.

The confession was taped later the same morning of the

shooting while Baker was at the hospital. Gallatin awoke Baker,

who had

only been sleeping for about an hour and was handcuffed to the bed

naked

with only a sheet. Lying in bed, Baker appeared calm, but sleepy.

Gallatin said he did not interview Baker before the confession and

the

only words spoken off camera were to ask for his permission to

record the

interview.

In the confession, which brought tears to Baker and

the victims’ families during viewing, Baker said he got drunk

following a

fight with his dad, who he said drank and they often argued. As

Baker

recounted the early morning events, he was inaudible and would

periodically stray from the events, mumbling about a man giving

him pills

to kill his father.

But as Gallatin would repeatedly go over the events,

Baker became more alert and sat up. He recalled the shootings and

hitting

a woman, Tish and Mahon’s neighbor, with a knife he found in the

shooting

victims’ home.

Baker said he had no personal problems with the couple

and shot them because he was scared of going to jail.

“If you could say anything to those people, what would

it be,” asked Gallatin during the confession.

“I’m sorry. I wish it would have been me instead of

you,” he answered.

During the hearing, Baker’s attorneys contended his

mental capacity also should be a factor in suppressing the

statements and

confession along with his age, education and intelligence.

Attorney

Monroe McWard noted Baker is a special education student with an

IQ of

85. However, Fayette County State’s Attorney Friedel

pointed out

Baker was a good student in first and second grade.

Judge McHaney also heard a defense motion for

the county to pay for an adolescent psychiatrist McWard said may

link

Baker’s behavior that day to the drug, Cymbalta.

The judge took issue with the psychiatrist’s estimated

fee of $400 an hour, anticipating the total cost could exceed

$50,000.

However, McWard said the psychiatrist’s cost estimate is about

$15,000.

He further said he and two other attorneys have currently not been

paid

in representing Baker, who as a minor is indigent. He added the

child

developmental psychiatrist is essential to the case and the

defense has

no way to pay for it.

“I believe everyone is entitled to a defense with

every fiber of my being. Issue is am I obligated to make Fayette

County

pay for it,” said McHaney.

Friedel questioned since Baker was voluntarily

intoxicated with other substances besides Cymbalta, whether a

psychiatrist is even relevant. McWard countered Baker was

prescribed the drug even though it carries a warning not to

prescribe to

people under 18.

The judge will issue a written order on the motions.

In the meantime, Friedel said he would search for other

psychiatrists who

may be more affordable.

Thoele can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 126

or

cathy.thoele@....