Accused Robber Should Be Committed, Not Prosecuted, Attorneys Say

Attorneys for the prosecution and defense of the Minneapolis man who in November allegedly said Tuesday in Dakota County Court that the man would benefit more from civil commitment than a criminal case.

Jermaine Savory, 32, is charged with two counts of simple robbery and one count of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, all felonies. The maximum combined penalty for the three charges is 23 years in prison and a $45,000 fine, according to the criminal complaint.

"Mr. Savory is not competent to assist me in his defense," public defender Warren Kochis told Dakota County District Court Judge Thomas Pugh. "I'd like to insist the court commence with civil commitment proceedings."

Dakota County prosecutor Scott Hersey said he could not proceed with the case against Savory without the completion of a psychological evaluation.

Savory allegedly stole a minivan in Lakeville on Nov. 6 and using it to rob at gunpoint the  on Pilot Knob Road in Eagan.

Savory then led police from Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville on a car chase that reached speeds of up to 100 miles-per-hour, according to the criminal complaint.

Pugh echoed Hersey's hesitancy on making any legal decisions in the case until a psychological evaluation is done. 

Savory will remain in Dakota County Jail pending the outcome of his psychological evaluation on Jan. 31.