People v. Allen

Defendant Roderick Allen (Allen) was charged with attempted murder, armed violence and aggravated battery for the stabbing of his father. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, pars. 8 — 4, 9 — 1, 12 — 4(a), 33A — 2.) Although the trial court ordered, on numerous occasions, that Allen submit to psychiatric testing prior to trial, he repeatedly asserted his right to refuse such examination and the case proceeded to trial before a jury without the benefit of such testing.

At trial Allen presented the defense of self-defense and testified on his own behalf. The jury, however, found him guilty of armed…