Woman Accused Of Killing Granddaughter To Undergo Psych Exam

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (STMW) -- The southwest suburban woman charged with murdering her 5-month-old granddaughter with a sledgehammer will undergo a psychiatric examination to determine whether she is fit to stand trial, the SouthtownStar is reporting.

Alfreda Giedrojc, 62, appeared Wednesday in Cook County Court, where assistant public defender Michael Wilson asked Judge Colleen Hyland to allow the evaluation, saying he had some doubt whether Giedrojc was fit to stand trial.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, asked Hyland for access to Giedrojc's medical records, which Hyland granted.

Giedrojc is charged with first-degree murder for using a sledgehammer and carving knife to kill Vivian Summers of Bolingbrook while she was watching the girl Oct. 6 in her Oak Lawn home.

The baby's father was across the street with Giedrojc's husband at her son's home, leaving her alone to care for Vivian. When they returned, they found the grisly scene.

Giedrojc has been in custody since. She wore jail-issued faded blue coveralls and a pair of sneakers for her court appearance. Her graying hair was neatly combed, and she showed little emotion when a Polish interpreter translated Hyland's comments.

Giedrojc, who came from Poland 30 years ago, does not speak English.

Assistant state's attorney Susan Fleming said the exam will determine "if she is fit and what we're dealing with."

In court, Wilson alluded to comments Giedrojc made in the initial police report.

Hyland asked Wilson if he had bona fide doubts about the police report and he replied that he did. He mentioned that Giedrojc has been hospitalized before, but did not say for what, and said that she was on medications.

Wilson was not available to comment after his client's court appearance.

Whatever Giedrojc says in the evaluation can't be used in court unless Wilson uses the insanity defense, Fleming said. But if Giedrojc refuses to be evaluated, prosecutors can use that refusal against her, "but that rarely happens," Fleming said.

When Giedrojc pleaded not guilty in November, Wilson said it was "too early to tell" if they would use insanity as a defense.

Giedrojc's next court date is Jan. 29.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)