Man due in DuPage County court on judge stalking charge
A man accused of stalking a DuPage County judge will appear in court this week for a possible bond hearing.
Last week, Judge John Kinsella recused himself from the case of John Euwema, who is charged with stalking Judge Kathryn Creswell.
Prosecutors want Euwema denied bond but Kinsella said his involvement could create an “appearance of impropriety.” Creswell is the presiding judge over the 18th Judicial Circuit’s felony division, of which Kinsella is a part.
Chief Judge John Elsner is expected to decide whether to assign the case to a different DuPage judge or seek the appointment of an out-of-county judge through the Illinois Supreme Court.
Until a decision is made and a hearing can take place, Euwema is being held without bail, as agreed to by his attorneys. It’s possible such a hearing could happen as early as Wednesday, when Euwema is due back in court.
Prosecutors say Euwema, 57, of Western Springs, poses a serious threat if released. He’s accused of sending a book, money, an email and letters referencing Creswell’s family to the judge’s husband.
In September, Creswell sentenced Euwema, a previously convicted felon, to 90 days in jail for driving with a revoked license. When police searched his office recently, they found news articles referencing the judge’s family and a box of ammunition, according to prosecutors.