Friday, September 3, 2010

Dad who "allegedly" murdered 14-month-old daughter with baseball bat had twice weekly visitation (Bloomington, Illinois)

We posted on this case earlier today, but this article includes additional information that's quite interesting.

QUESTION: If dad JEFF MEECE was so freaking whacked out that TWO PSYCHIATRISTS found him unfit to stand trial for the murder of his daughter, then what judge and/or custody evaluators found him fit for twice weekly child visitation?

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_adee3ea8-b6e9-11df-9adf-001cc4c03286.html

Trial set for B-N man accused of killing toddler with bat

By Edith Brady-Lunny
Posted: Thursday, September 2, 2010 6:26 pm

BLOOMINGTON — A bench trial is scheduled for Sept. 22 for a Bloomington man accused of killing his 14-month-old daughter with a baseball bat.

Jeff Meece, 48, is charged with causing the head injuries that killed Erika Meece.

Police were called on Aug. 20, 2009, to the 600 block of South Madison Street for reports of a man swinging a baseball bat. The child, who lived with her mother elsewhere in Bloomington, went to the Madison Street home to visit her father twice a week, authorities said.

Two psychiatrists found Meece unfit to stand trial on the first-degree murder charges.

He was transferred to McFarland Mental Health Center in Springfield for treatment but has since been returned to the McLean County jail.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers are expected to agree on the facts of the case at the upcoming bench trial, according to court records. A Sept. 2 bench trial was postponed.

Family members previously told The Pantagraph that Meece required treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues.