New Psych Eval For Orland Man Charged With Beating Elderly Dad

By Joseph Hosey

A psychiatric evaluation of an Orland Park man charged with attacking his elderly, infirm father might show the son was out of his mind at the time, his lawyer said Wednesday.

"There's a possible issue of psychosis," attorney Kevin Byrne said of 46-year-old Mark Williamson.

Byrne joined attorney Mike Brennan Wednesday in defending Williamson, who allegedly attacked his then-76-year-old father, George Williamson, while he sat helpless in his wheelchair.

Mark Williamson has already undergone one evaluation but it was conducted by a psychologist, Brennan said. The attorneys are asking for this evaluation to be done by a psychiatrist.

Williamson faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery and unlawful restraint in connection with the November attack on his father.

When George Williamson called 911 for help after the alleged beating at the hands of his son, he said he suffered his injuries in a fall. He later accused his son of choking and beating him while speaking with a friend who is an Orland Park police officer.

During an earlier court hearing, George Williamson testified that he was savagely attacked not by his son but by a demon with slanted eyes and a blue-green face. He eventually conceded that Mark Williamson was responsible.

Before his arrest, Mark Williamson was caring for his father, who suffers from emphysema and heart disease. At the time of the alleged attack, Mark Williamson had not been taking medication for his mental health issues, a public defender said at a previous hearing.

Brennan took the case over from the public defender in July. During Wednesday's hearing at the Bridgeview courthouse, Assistant State's Attorney Sherie DeDore asked Judge Colleen Hyland to make Mark Williamson pay the public defender's office for services rendered.

Judge Hyland allowed DeDore to question Mark Williamson, who has been locked up in the Cook County Jail since shortly after the alleged attack, about his financial circumstances. Mark Williamson testified he no longer runs an exterminating business and that he possesses no car, bank accounts, funds or property.

Hyland said Mark Williamson did not have to reveal how he retained his attorneys. She also denied the request for reimbursement.

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