People v. Crenshaw

Respondent, Edward Crenshaw, was found to be in need of mental treatment (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 91/2, par. 1—11) after a hearing in the circuit court of Cook County on December 14, 1976. On appeal, respondent contends (1) that he was not proved to be in need of mental treatment by clear and convincing evidence, (2) that his motion for judgment on the pleadings should have been granted and (3) that the trial judge erred by consulting a private source in order to interpret a doctor’s diagnosis and by refusing to allow respondent’s counsel to cross examine the doctor on that diagnosis.

In an…