East Dundee murder suspect waives extradition in Texas
Richard Schmelzer, who is charged in the stabbing death of his 85-year-old East Dundee grandmother, has waived an extradition hearing in Texas, Kane County prosecutors said.
Kane County sheriff's deputies will head to Texas early next week to pick up and transport Schmelzer, Undersheriff Pat Gengler said Friday. A hearing date in Kane County has not been set.
Schmelzer, 41, was taken into custody Aug. 25 in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. He is charged with two counts of murder in the death of Mildred "Dodie" Darrington, who was found in her home July 18.
Kane County Circuit Court Judge John Barsanti authorized bail at $5 million for Schmelzer in absentia, according to prosecutors.
Schmelzer was captured after a three-day sting operation by U.S. Marshals, Texas Rangers and members of the Frisco Police Department. He was living in Frisco with his wife and four daughters.
Schmelzer lived two blocks from his grandmother's East Dundee home from the time he was 2 years old until eighth grade. His family later moved to an unincorporated area near West Dundee.
Schmelzer, a 1991 graduate of Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville, was formerly a trainer for the Harlem Globetrotters, the world-famous razzle-dazzle basketball squad.
If convicted, Schmelzer could be sentenced to between 20 and 60 years in prison.