Peoria Judge Says He Didn't Err In Finding

A Peoria County judge has ruled that he didn't err when he found a man accused of murder fit for trial four years ago. Edjuan Payne was found guilty of killing Orvette Davis and sentenced to life in prison in 2012. An Illinois appeals court sent Payne's case back to Chief Judge Steve Kouri in April, taking exception with how he ruled Payne was fit for trial. Appellate judges said Kouri relied on the prosecutor and defense attorney saying a report stated Payne was fit, but that judges typically review such evidence themselves. The (Peoria) Journal Star (http://bit.ly/1ZP7d7o ) reports Kouri said Wednesday that he wasn't relying on the attorneys' word, but that he based his conclusion on the mental health expert's report. Payne's attorney said an appeal of Wednesday's decision was likely.