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Attorneys for Drifter Accused of Sex Assault Looking for More Mental Testing

Dennis Dodson, 35, has been indicted on 15 counts related to sexual assault and kidnapping. He was recently tested HIV and the result has not been disclosed.

 

Defense attorneys are seeking a second psychological opinion of a homeless man whose charges now include kidnapping in addition to sexual assault.

Initial court-appointed testing suggests that Dennis Dodson — a drifter accused of sexually molesting an 83-year-old woman — is mentally fit for trial. His lead attorney, assistant public defender Camille Bachli, told Associate Judge John J. Hynes on Thursday at the Bridgeview Courthouse that she would look for another opinion from a private psychiatrist.

Dodson, 35, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and assault last fall after police said he attacked a woman behind the Orland Park Home Depot, where he had been living. Police said the woman had past encounters with Dodson, in which she offered money and food, before he suddenly grabbed and molested her on the ground.

Dodson, whose rap sheet includes at least 60 arrests in 15 states, has a history of mental health issues and takes psychotropic medication, Bachli said in September when she first asked for mental evaluations.

The result of his HIV test — which was requested last month by prosecutors on behalf of the woman — has not been disclosed to the public.

Andy Conklin, spokesman for the State’s Attorney’s Office, declined to comment on the HIV results, as well as the upgraded charges that now include aggravated kidnapping.

Dodson returns to court on Feb. 23.

Related Topics: Dennis Dodson, HIV testing, Kidnapping, Sexual Assault, Southland crime, drifter, homeless crime, molestation, and rape

D Greg

9:57 am on Friday, January 27, 2012

HIV positive? Why can't they reveal the results of the test?? How long has this guy been in town?

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Jesse Marx

11:27 am on Friday, January 27, 2012

D Greg,

According to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the HIV test was conducted on behalf of the elderly woman. Based on what I saw in court (a copy of the result was given to the judge but not the defense), I doubt this will come up during the trial. It's not evidence. Though it could come up, if he's convicted, at his sentencing.

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