Bomb threat suspect found unfit to stand trial again

Posted on April 29, 2015

Theresa Shepherd has been found unfit to stand trial for the second time on charges of calling in a fake bomb threat to a former employer in March 2013. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington woman is going back to a mental health facility instead of standing trial on charges of calling in a fake bomb threat to a former employer.

Theresa Shepherd, 60, appeared in court this week for the start of a bench trial but both the prosecution and defense argued the trial should be delayed.

The prosecution argued that Shepherd had relapsed after earlier mental health treatment and couldn’t understand the charges against her. Judge Scott Drazewski agreed and sent Shepherd to jail pending a transfer to McFarland Mental Health Center.

The defense argued Shepherd needed more time because she had numerous doctors’ appointments scheduled, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

A review hearing is scheduled for May 27.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…