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A defense attorney seeks to have a Joliet man charged with a gas station shooting to undergo a psychological evaluation in light of his frequent outbursts in court.
Timothy Specht, attorney for Amarion Denwiddie, 19, of Joliet requested the evaluation of his client in a Feb. 4. motion.
Specht’s motion said Denwiddie was once forcibly removed from court and twice not brought to court for his cases “because of the defendant’s aggressive and disruptive behavior.”
Denwiddie’s behavior has a “detrimental effect on his ability to assist in his own defense,” as well as a history of serious mental health concerns, Specht said.
A judge has yet to rule on the motion. Denwiddie’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 25.
On July 7, Denwiddie was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a weapon by felon, aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and drug possession.
The charges stemmed from an incident the day before when Denwiddie fired a handgun at a vehicle outside PS Fuels & Market gas station, 928 W. Jefferson St., Joliet police officials said.
Officers determined Denwiddie brandished a handgun after a verbal altercation with two women at the gas station, police said.
“As the victims pulled away in a vehicle, the suspect fired the handgun at the vehicle, striking it near the tire,” police said.
Denwiddie fled from the scene but was later caught on North Raynor Avenue, police said. During Denwiddie’s transport to the police department, he kicked the interior of the squad vehicle, threatened the officers and claimed he was a kickboxer, police said.
During booking, Denwiddie spat on an officer, kicked a thermostat and refused to be cooperative, police said.
A prosecutor at Denwiddie’s bond hearing said he became upset with the women when one of them told him he should respect women. Denwiddie behaved angrily throughout the hearing and accused prosecutors of charging him “with some stuff they were never supposed to charge me with.”
On May 26, prosecutors charged Denwiddie with robbery and mob action after alleging he forcibly stole a cellphone from a teen and participated in the attack of that victim on April 26 in Joliet. The case remains pending in court.
Denwiddie and Joseph Lee Townsend, 49, of Joliet pleaded guilty to robbing a woman about two years ago shortly after they sold her a cellphone, court records show.