Kane judge tells feisty defendant to 'shut up'

A Maple Park man charged with disposing of an Elburn teen's body was booted from court Friday after arguing with a judge he addressed as "man."

Kane County Judge Robert B. Spence was explaining to Nathan L. Green, 22, how much prison time he could face if found guilty of heroin delivery and obstructing justice in the December 2007 death of Michael York, 17.

By statute, Spence said, Green would face a mandatory term of six to 30 years because, according to state prosecutors, he previously was convicted of two Class 2 felonies.

"I don't have any Class 2 felonies," Green interrupted.

"Would you shut up and listen?" Spence said.

Green kept talking, so Spence summoned a bailiff: "Take him back. This is over."

But the outburst continued as Green was led to a holding cell. "I don't have any Class 2s in my background, man," he said. "This is (expletive)."

About an hour later, Spence called for a "do-over."

This time, Green, who wore orange jail clothes and shackles, waited until Spence finished speaking to dispute his criminal record. Spence explained sentencing guidelines for both scenarios and said the court would verify Green's background.

Green told the judge he doesn't have a job, money or any relatives who could fund his defense. Spence appointed a public defender, who entered a preliminary plea of not guilty.

Green is one of three people indicted last month on charges they dumped York's body in a Chicago alley after it appeared he overdosed on heroin at a St. Charles house party. York's cause of death is undetermined.

Although Green has prior felony convictions, including theft, records show no Class 2 felonies for him in the Kane County Circuit Court database, but that does not include charges Green might have faced elsewhere.

Green remains in the county jail with bail set at $100,000. The other two defendants charged with disposing of York's body are free on bond.

Lindsey L. Parker, 23, who police say hosted the party on the 4000 block of Royal Fox Drive while her parents were away, was on Friday's docket but her appearance was postponed until Feb. 4. The third suspect, Jordan D. Billek, 18, of Maple Park, is set to make his first court appearance Feb. 10.

Green is due back in court Feb. 5.