Chicago

Cook County Court Fails to Restrict Hartman From Airport

The 66-year-old Hartman, who had been living in Lake County, evaded security at O’Hare last week and managed to fly all the way to London on a British Airways jetliner

Despite a Cook County judge’s warning to serial stowaway Marilyn Hartman that she should stay away from O’Hare and Midway airports, officials failed to make that an official condition of Hartman’s bond.

During a brief hearing on Thursday Judge Donald Panarese agreed to release the 66-year-old Hartman on $10,000 bond, and cautioned her that she would be required to undergo a psychiatric exam and to stay away from airports.

But Hartman’s official bond form lists none of those conditions.

The document does list other conditions---including stipulations that she should always appear in court, obey all court orders, and not commit any criminal offenses while the current charges are pending.

But there are no warnings about the airport on the official form which she signed. Indeed, the area labeled “other conditions” is left completely blank.

An official of the state’s attorney’s office said the fact that the judge made his admonition in open court should carry the weight of law.

Hartman returned to her Grayslake home shortly before 10:30 p.m. Thursday, driven from the county jail by officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s police. She said little as she walked into the vestibule of her building.

“I wish I could but I can’t,” she told a reporter. “I can’t discuss anything---I’m sorry.”

Hartman did offer that she was “doing OK.”

Hartman, who had been living in Lake County, evaded security at O’Hare last week and managed to fly all the way to London on a British Airways jetliner. She was denied entry to Great Britain, and returned to Chicago where she was arrested upon her arrival.

The Cook County Sheriff’s office had advocated special treatment for Hartman, and the sheriff’s policy chief expressed shock that she was being released with no provisions for either her treatment or compliance.

“Releasing any seriously mentally ill person without support and treatment is never a good idea,” said Cara Smith, the sheriff’s policy chief. “This order seriously reflects many things wrong with the criminal justice system.”

The public defender’s office made no move in court to ask for any kind of intervention. But Smith suggested Hartman’s past behavior cries out for very specialized treatment.

“We have a woman who is obviously suffering and in need of significant services,” she said. “Without the help she clearly needs, history is likely to repeat itself.”

Hartman is due back in court February 13. Her attorney, assistant public defender Parle Roe-Taylor, expressed confidence that she would not get into more trouble.

“She told the court she would return,” she said. “She comes back to court.”

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