A Marion County Jury deliberated just 15 minutes before finding a 47-year-old rural Centralia man not guilty by reason of insanity for aggravated battery to a police officer.
Jason Hoffman of Old Salem Road was accused of striking two members of the department when they came to his home on separate days last December to handle complaints.
The jury’s decision came after hearing testimony from three deputies as well as Dr. Daniel Cuneo who conducted the fitness evaluation. Hoffman had also make a statement on his own behalf. Hoffman allegedly became disruptive during the testimony of now Sheriff Kevin Cripps and was warned further disruptions could result in his removal.
Hoffman was ordered to be placed into the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services for evaluation and a treatment plan.
State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth says Hoffman could be ordered to undergo inpatient or outpatient treatment for as long as seven years, which is the maximum time he could be sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections on an aggravated battery to police officer charge.
