WASHINGTON COUNTY — A Washington County defense attorney has raised a bona fide doubt as to her 57-year-old client’s mental fitness to stand trial for the murder of a 44-year-old East St. Louis man last year.

Attorney Paige Strawn raised her concerns in Washington County Court Wednesday, saying her doubts are based upon her conversations with her client Milton Robinson and his demeanor.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Cuneo was appointed to conduct the mental fitness examination and file a report within 30 days.

Robinson is one of three defendants from Belleville accused of killing Montez Pearson in early July 2023.

Pearson’s body was discovered on July 19 near Lunte Creek Road in Washington County.

Police arrested 57-year-old Kevin Loucks on July 23 after a search warrant was executed at his residence in Belleville.

Robinson was arrested the following day, and 45-year-old Arrion Sanders was later arrested and charged in the case.

A Washington County judge found Loucks guilty of First Degree Murder and he remains in custody awaiting sentencing pending the outcome of Sanders’ case. Both Sanders and Robinson are scheduled for jury trials in April.