Victim's family: Fox River Grove murder suspect is mentally ill

The man accused of beating to death his stepmother has long suffered from a mental illness, family members said in a statement released Sunday.

Martin R. Green, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his stepmother, 52-year-old Patricia McNamara, who was found dead inside her residence on Gladys Avenue shortly after 8 a.m. Feb. 11. It was the first murder in Fox River Grove's history.

Green was arrested a short time later after fleeing the home and jumping into the nearby Fox River. He was treated at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington before police transferred him to jail.

On Sunday, family friend Mark Perkins released a statement from the McNamara family. It says relatives were shocked and saddened by the tragedy, and that Green had a history of mental illness.

"Two years ago, mental illness began taking from us our son Marty, a young man we all knew and loved. Sadly, hospitals, psychiatrists and medications were unable to provide him with the help he needed," the statement said. "It is tragic and unfortunate for so many that our mental health system is often incapable of dealing with people like Marty who are struggling with mental illness. It failed our family, and that is a failure for all of us."

The letter also states the family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support it has received.

The family released a statement because they were uncomfortable with the fact that nothing about Marty's mental health had been mentioned in the media, Perkins said.

McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi would not confirm the family's claim that Green is mentally ill, but based on the statement, officials "certainly would look into that issue."

Bianchi said Sunday that his office has not yet reviewed all the police reports and all the facts about the case.

"Right now, (Green) is charged with two counts (of first-degree murder), and we are proceeding on that basis," he said. "Notwithstanding that mental illness in the country is an issue that is understated and overlooked, that doesn't necessarily excuse anyone from responsibility."

Green is being held in the McHenry County jail on $3 million bond. He faces from 20 to 60 years in jail and up to $50,000 in fines for two counts of first-degree murder.

He is expected to appear in court at 9 a.m. Tuesday.