Champaign County teen with multiple personalities to be tried as adult

A 15-year-old Champaign County teen who a psychologist diagnosed with multiple personalities will be tried as an adult on a murder charge in connection with the killing of his dad’s girlfriend, an attorney in the case said.

Donovan Nicholas was 14 at the time prosecutors alleged he shot and stabbed 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor in April at his home. Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to an aggravated murder charge.

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He can be heard in a 9-1-1 call obtained by the Springfield News-Sun saying someone else inside him killed Taylor.

Champaign County Juvenile Judge Lori Reisinger held a hearing late last month to determine whether Nicholas could be rehabilitated and treated in the juvenile system or if he should be moved to adult court. During the hearing, a psychologist testified that Nicholas suffers from a disassociative disorder, defense attorney Darrell Heckman said.

The attorney believed the defense provided enough evidence to show that Nicholas could be rehabilitated in the juvenile system, he said.

“I am very disappointed with the court’s ruling,” Heckman said.

MORE: Champaign County 14-year-old competent to face murder trial

The Springfield News-Sun requested the judge’s entry filed with the ruling but the juvenile court denied that request. Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi declined to comment Monday morning.

The judge ruled the state’s juvenile system cannot provide 24-hour care for Nicholas, Heckman said. A representative of the juvenile system testified that they could provide care for Nicholas multiple personalities, he said.

READ: Donovan Nicholas Champaign County stabbing

A bond hearing was held in the case Tuesday. Talebi requested bond be set at $1 million while Heckman asked for a $20,000 bond.

Reisinger ordered him to be held without bond because she said she had concerns Nicholas allegedly was a threat to society without proper counseling.

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