Bond cut for Elgin man in girlfriend's shooting

A Kane County judge Wednesday reduced bond by more than half for a 57-year-old Elgin man accused of shooting his longtime girlfriend in the leg.

Gene Morrison, of the 400 block of Prospect Street, initially was being held on $200,000 bond, but Judge Allen M. Anderson reduced that amount to $75,000 after Morrison's attorney argued it was "excessive."

Prosecutors say Morrison fired two shots at the woman after an argument in their east-side home the morning of Oct. 16, hitting her once in the right leg, then pistol-whipping her as she lay on the ground bleeding. In a defense motion, Morrison's attorney argued the $200,000 bond was too high and his client "lacks the finances or means" to put up the required $20,000 bail. The motion said Morrison would remain in Elgin if granted a lower bond.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams countered at a hearing that the severity of the crime and a previous domestic battery conviction on Morrison's record warranted a $200,000 bond, "if not higher," for the safety of the community.

Sams said Morrison admitted to police he fired once at his girlfriend, but claims the second shot was an accident. He also has admitted to beating her with his gun once she fell to the ground, Sams said.

"The victim is in a wheelchair and will be in a wheelchair for at least nine months," Sams said.

Morrison is charged with aggravated battery with a weapon, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery, the most serious of which is a Class X felony with a standard sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Morrison was still listed in custody at the Kane County jail in St. Charles, pending a Nov. 12 court date. To be released on bond, he would now have to post $7,500.