Palatine man seeks release from mental health center
A former Palatine man found not guilty by reason of insanity after decapitating his mother 13 years ago should be allowed to live in a halfway house, his attorneys argued Wednesday.
Attorneys for Karl Sneider, 39, argued for a conditional release for their client, who now lives at the medium-security Elgin Mental Health Center. Sneider no longer poses a threat, they said during a hearing before Cook County Judge Bridget Hughes.
Sneider killed his mother, Kathryn Sneider, 49, on Jan. 28, 2003, because he believed God told him she was Satan and he must kill her to ensure that good triumphed over evil, according to testimony.
Before his arrest for killing his mother, Sneider - who had a history of drug and alcohol abuse - was convicted of theft, burglary, domestic battery and other offenses five times between 1993 and 2001.
During a 2010 hearing, his then-psychiatrist described him as "compliant with all aspects of his treatment."
Dr. Richard Maris, an Elgin Mental Health Center psychiatrist, testified Wednesday that Sneider suffers from bipolar disorder. Maris also testified Sneider undergoes substance abuse treatment and is among the most active participants in group.
"His sobriety goes a long way to reducing his risk ... for mental illness," Maris said.
Maris testified he knew of Sneider's criminal history, including past domestic battery charges Maris said were related to a "tumultuous relationship" with a woman in which both used drugs. Maris said he and Sneider have addressed the issue, and Sneider has "remorse for how he behaved."
Maris also described a relationship Sneider had with a female staff member at the Elgin center. "Mr. Sneider reported they had explicit sexual conversations" and talked of becoming sexual partners upon his release, Maris said.
The conversations went on for a year until the woman broke it off, Maris said. Sneider reported the conversations in 2011, which prompted an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General, Maris said.
"The investigation came back unfounded ... Different staffers had different opinions as to what happened," said Maris, who testified he believed Maris told the truth about the exchanges.
If Hughes grants the defense motion, Sneider will be released to a social service agency where he will be subject to conditions imposed by the court, prosecutors said.
Testimony continues Thursday in Room 110 in Rolling Meadows.