Expert to Evaluate Jonas After Insanity Defense

A Plainfield man found unfit to stand trial in the 2011 shootings of his wife and stepdaughter could be discharged from custody if a judge agrees with his insanity defense.

But first, Albert Jonas, 76, must undergo another psychiatric evaluation.

Jonas is accused of shooting his then-wife, Linda Jonas, and stepdaughter Samantha Falbo at their home in the 14500 block of General Drive in the early morning hours of July 12, 2011.

Linda Jonas, who was 62 at the time of the attack, suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and right leg, while daughter Samantha, then 25, was shot in the head.

Jonas admitted to that he shot his wife of more than a decade, but did not remember shooting Falbo.

in connection with his wife’s shooting and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, Jonas was found unfit to stand trial in March.

According to a Chicago-Sun Times report, Judge Sarah Jones made the ruling after two doctors found he suffers from disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Prosecutors asked that Jonas, who appeared in court clad in a red jumpsuit and seated in a wheelchair, be evaluated by an expert in regard to his insanity defense.

Jonas is due back in court July 16, when a date will be set for his discharge hearing.

A discharge hearing is held when a defendant is ruled unfit to stand trial and unlikely to become fit within a year. The ruling means the judge will have to hear the state's evidence and decide between acquittal — finding Jonas innocent by reason of insanity and releasing him — or finding him guilty and remanding him for treatment.

Court records show that Linda Jonas filed for divorce a week after the gun attack. The divorce was finalized in October 2011.

Albert Jonas remains in custody at the Will County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.