Zion cabbie’s accused killer ruled fit for trial
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com October 16, 2012 7:52PM
Darryel J. Garner
Updated: November 18, 2012 6:48AM
Extreme religious beliefs were not enough to make the Waukegan man charged with murdering a cab driver mentally unfit to stand trial, Lake County Circuit Judge James Booras said Tuesday.
Darryel Garner, 40, faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting taxi driver Patrick Foster multiple times in the 3100 block of Lebanon Avenue in Zion in March 2010.
Garner’s attorneys had raised a question about his mental fitness to stand trial. Garner had made comments that God will decide his guilt, Assistant State’s Attorney Patricia Fix said.
“Religious beliefs do not render him unfit,” Booras said. He denied a motion to find Garner unfit to stand trial Tuesday. Fitness to stand trial has to do with a defendant’s ability to understand the charges against him and his ability to work with his attorneys to assist in defense.
Garner underwent a court-ordered mental psychological evaluation during which he was found mentally fit to stand trial, Booras said.
Garner had told police he was out of work and is accused of trying to rob Foster before shooting him repeatedly in the neck and face, police said.
Garner is in custody at Lake County Jail. He is due back in court Nov. 1.
