Barrington murder suspect in coffeepot case free after posting bond
A Barrington man accused of killing his wife in January after an argument over a coffee maker is free from the Lake County jail after posting bond, officials said.
Larry Lotz, 65, has been checked into an undisclosed hospital since his release from jail Monday. His bail amount had been sent at $3 million, and he had to post $300,000.
His attorney, Robert Hauser, declined Thursday to disclose Lotz's location, saying he feared the media will "scare people."
Lake County prosecutors brought the case court Thursday seeking to have Lotz hooked up to an electronic monitor while out on bail. Judge Daniel Shanes scheduled a May 12 hearing on the request but said he would hold it sooner should Lotz leave his undisclosed location.
Lotz is on a 24-hour curfew and cannot possess any guns or use illegal drugs or alcohol.
He faces three counts of first-degree murder alleging he fatally shot his 59-year-old wife, Karen, in the couple's home Jan. 15.
Authorities say Lotz and his wife argued that day over his leaving on a coffee maker. After unplugging the coffee maker, Lotz retreated to an office area above his garage to be alone, officials said.
When his wife used a key to enter the locked office, Lotz shot her three times, including once in the head, authorities allege.
Hauser previously said he wants Lotz, a Vietnam veteran, treated at the veterans hospital in North Chicago for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, on Monday the defense lawyer said that hospital would not accept a jail transfer into its locked facility.
Lotz's trial is set for Aug. 22.