EDWARDSVILLE • Terry Joe Sedlacek, accused of murdering a minister during a Sunday morning service in a Maryville church in 2009, won't face a criminal trial anytime soon or perhaps ever, under a judge's ruling on Friday.

Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli ruled that Sedlacek is unfit to stand trial and there is no substantial probability that he will attain fitness within a year. As provided under Illinois law, the case will proceed to a discharge hearing, where the only possible outcomes will be acquittal or a commitment for further treatment.

At a discharge hearing, Sedlacek could be found not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity, or the issue of guilt could be left for possible later determination.

A commitment for further treament would be subject to future changes in Sedlacek's condition.

Sedlacek, who is from Troy, Ill., is accused of fatally shooting the Rev. Fred Winters as Winters delivered a sermon at the First Baptist Church of Maryville on March 8, 2009. Sedlacek, now 30, is being held in the Alton Mental Health Center. Authorities said he had no known associations with Winters or the church.

Tognarelli also sided with the defense and reaffirmed an earlier ruling that an upcoming examination of Sedlacek by an expert from Cook County must be audio-taped. The judge said the issue of Sedlacek's current fitness for trial had already been determined and the upcoming examination would deal only with Sedlacek's mental condition at the time of the alleged offense.

"We think it was the correct decision," said Public Defender John Rekowski, one of Sedlacek's attorneys.

Stephanee Smith, spokeswoman for the Madison County state's attorney's office, said prosecutors learned of the rulings late on Friday and would be evaluating the state's options.

Rekowski said Sedlacek could be tried at some time in the future if not acquitted in the discharge hearing and later found fit to stand trial.