Addison man denies murdering his wife

An Addison man accused of murdering his wife last month has denied the charges against him.

Kurtis Worley, 33, faces five counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery and one count each of attempted first-degree murder, armed violence and aggravated domestic battery.

During a brief court appearance Monday in front of Judge Blanche Hill Fawell, Worley pleaded innocent to all the charges. His next court date is scheduled for next month.

Authorities say Worley repeatedly stabbed his 39-year-old wife, Martha Worley, in the head while she slept early July 26 inside their home on North Craig Place.

Kurtis Worley’s 15-year-old stepson also was injured. The teen was stabbed in the neck when he and his 12-year-old brother heard their mother scream and tried to intervene, prosecutors have said.

Worley admitted to police that he attacked his wife because she told him she wanted a divorce, prosecutors have said.

If convicted on the most serious charge, Worley could be sentenced to 20 to 60 years in prison, officials said.

Worley is being held at the DuPage County jail on $3 million bail.