Old Man Charged With Sex Crime Against Young Child To Get Psych Test

A 71-year-old Homewood man charged with molesting a child for two years used a cane to limp into a Markham courtroom Monday morning and was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation.

Hugh Copeland, who was in the custody of Cook County Sheriff's deputies, asked Judge Michele Simmons whether his lawyer should have consulted with him before setting up the evaluation.

"This mental exam, doesn't my attorney have to ask me?" Copeland wondered aloud.

Copeland's lawyer, Wayne Johnson, told him they had already discussed the psychological evaluation and after being reminded, Copeland seemed to remember.

Copeland, who has been locked up in the Cook County Jail since October, most recently molested the his alleged victim on Aug. 12, officials said. Prosecutors said at a previous hearing that Copeland had made admissions to police regarding some of the incidents.

While in court Monday, Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Bagby turned over to Copeland's lawyer police reports, redacted records from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and a video recording of an interview with Copeland's alleged victim. The interview was conducted by a counselor in Wisconsin, where the child lives, Bagby said.

Copeland, who married 14 years ago and worked 47 years for the William Wrigley Co., is due back in court Feb. 5. The results of the psychological evaluation should be available by that time.