People v. Vernon

The defendant, Alvin Earl Vernon, was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/12 — 14(a)(2) (West 2000)) and sentenced to 14 years in prison. On appeal, the defendant asserts that the trial court erred in failing to conduct a fitness hearing when a bona fide doubt had been raised as to his competence to stand trial. We affirm.

FACTS

The defendant was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault on November 14, 2001. At a pretrial hearing on February 5, 2002, defense counsel informed the court that the defendant had been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment several times…