Woman held on $1 million bail in Elgin stabbing death
The 28-year-old woman charged in a weekend stabbing death in Elgin could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.
Jessica Leach, of the 0-99 block of Poplar Creek in Elgin, was arrested after the death of 61-year-old James S. Granger on Saturday, authorities said. Elgin firefighters discovered Granger’s badly burned body after extinguishing a fire at about 4:45 a.m. Saturday in Granger’s apartment, 1 Times Square, police said.
Charging documents say Granger suffered stab wounds at the hands of Leach, causing his death.
Leach was charged with first-degree murder by Kane County State’s Attorney’s office Sunday. She appeared in court Monday where bail was set at $1 million. Leach will have the opportunity to be released before her next court date if she can come up with a $100,000 bond, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
Leach is next due in court at 9 a.m. Jan. 3 in St. Charles.
Elgin police continue to question a second person who may have been involved in Granger’s death. Police department spokeswoman Sue Olafson said in a news release Sunday that Leach, a friend of Granger’s, was visiting him and then signaled for another person to enter the apartment. The two were planning to rob Granger, according to the police investigation.
Charges are still pending on the second subject and likely will not be filed today.