People v. Milligan

• Decision Date: 27 May 1963
• Docket Number: No. 37579,37579
• Citation: People v. Milligan, 190 N.E.2d 753, 28 Ill.2d 203 (Ill. 1963)
• Parties: The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Defendant in Error, v. Everett MILLIGAN, Plaintiff in Error.
• Court: Illinois Supreme Court

Page 753

190 N.E.2d 753

28 Ill.2d 203

The PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Defendant in Error, v. Everett MILLIGAN, Plaintiff in Error.

No. 37579.

Supreme Court of Illinois.

May 27, 1963.

Everett Milligan, pro se.

William G. Clark, Atty. Gen., Springfield, and Roscoe D. Cunningham, State's Atty., Lawrenceville (Fred G. Leach and E. Michael O'Brien, Asst. Attys. Gen., of counsel), for defendant in error.

SOLFISBURG, Chief Justice.

The defendant, Everett Milligan, was indicted in Lawrence County on the charge of extortion by threat. He was represented by counsel of his own choosing and after several continuances, on November 28, 1960, withdrew his plea of not guilty and entered a plea of guilty. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for a period of not less than five nor more than nine years. Thereafter on July 1, 1961, he filed a petition under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act and the court appointed counsel to represent defendant in that petition. After evidence was heard, the petition was denied on December 18, 1961. The case is presently before us on writ of error, the defendant appearing pro se.

It is apparently the defendant's contention that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. It appears from the record that the defendant was examined, on motion of the State, by a psychiatrist who prepared a written report dated June 22, 1960, and that defendant's own counsel had full access to the medical records and the psychiatrist's report prior to the plea of guilty.

Defendant argues, however, that only an insane person would assault a neighbor in the manner alleged in the indictment. Nevertheless, there is absolutely no indication of insanity appearing in this record. At the time of the entry of the plea of guilty, defendant was present with counsel and was fully and completely admonished and warned of the consequences of his plea. Although the psychiatric report does not appear in the record, it is clear that prior to the entry of defendant's plea of guilty, his attorneys were fully aware of the results of the psychiatric examination. It must be concluded that the report did not justify an insanity defense. There is nothing in this record to raise any bona fide doubt as to defendant's sanity at the time of the entry of his plea.

We stated in People v. Baker, 26 Ill.2d 484, 187 N.E.2d 227: 'The key to requiring a sanity trial is the existence of a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's present sanity. The trial court, therefore, has discretion...