With conflicting reports on Mason’s fitness to stand trial, public defender withdraws matter, asks judge to schedule trial for jury

QUINCY — Dr. Frank Froman, a clinical psychologist from Quincy, found Mario Mason unfit for trial earlier this month. However, the Illinois Department of Human Services since has evaluated Mason and determined he is fit to stand trial.

So during a status hearing Tuesday afternoon in Adams County Circuit Court, public defender Vanessa Pratt chose to withdraw the matter of Mason’s fitness and asked Judge Roger Thomson to schedule Mason’s trial for the October jury docket.

Mason, 40, of Turrell, Ark., is charged with taking Tabitha Campbell of Quincy against her will on July 17, 2021. Quincy Police began its investigation two days later. A search warrant was conducted in a room at the Welcome Inn, which led to the discovery of evidence relating to an alleged aggravated domestic battery and kidnapping.

Campbell was found July 21 in Marked Tree, Ark., after escaping from Mason. Mason was captured Sept. 14 in Marshall County, Ky. 

Mason faces one count of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, all Class X felonies. He faces between six and 30 years in the Department of Corrections on each count. If convicted, he faces mandatory consecutive sentencing.

Mason remains in the Adams County Jail on a $2 million bond.

A pre-trial hearing was set for Sept. 30. The jury trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 11.