Atty.: McHenry Co. murder suspect should be in treatment not jail

The newly hired defense lawyer for a Fox River Grove man accused of beating his stepmother to death last week plans to ask a judge to lower his client's $3 million bond so he possibly can get out of jail and into mental health treatment.

Martin N. Green, 26, remained in custody Tuesday at the McHenry County jail facing two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the slaying Thursday of Patricia McNamara, but attorney Henry Sugden said he will appear in court next week to seek a bond reduction.

"We'd like to give him a chance to get out of jail and get some help," he said, adding that any treatment would be done in an inpatient setting.

Sugden formally filed an appearance Tuesday morning as Green's attorney, replacing the McHenry County Public Defender that had been appointed Saturday to represent him. He was hired by Green's father, who also is McNamara's widower.

Besides asking for a bond reduction, Sugden indicated he would consider seeking a psychological examination of Green if there are questions over whether he is mentally unfit to stand trial.

Family members of Green over the weekend issued a statement indicating he has a history of mental illness and that efforts to treat him through medications, psychiatrists and hospitalizations had not succeeded.

"It's just one of those sad cases that nobody wins," Sugden said. "It's a terrible thing."

Authorities arrested Green after McNamara, 52, was found dead Thursday morning in the family's home in the 100 block of Gladys Avenue in Fox River Grove. She had been beaten with a hammer, police said.

After the attack, police said, Green fled and jumped into the nearby Fox River. He got out with the help of bystanders and was treated at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington before police transferred him to jail.

The slaying was the first in Fox River Grove history.

She is survived by her husband, three children, five stepchildren and three grandchildren.

Green, who for now faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted of first-degree murder, likely will be arraigned on the charges March 17.