$3 million bond set for Crystal Lake man charged with killing mother

Bond was set at $3 million Saturday for a Crystal Lake man charged with killing his 80-year-old mother, authorities said.

McHenry County Associate Judge James S. Cowlin set the seven-figure bond for defendant James E. Trzcinski, 50.

Trzcinski has been assigned an attorney from the public defender's office, McHenry County jail officials said.

He was taken back to the jail after the bond hearing. He is next scheduled to appear in court April 11.

Trzcinski, of the 3400 block of East Crystal Lake Avenue, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of his mother, Dorothy B. Trzcinski.

Authorities said Trzcinski beat and stabbed the woman to death Friday in the home they shared.

McHenry County sheriff's deputies found Dorothy Trzcinski's body while responding to a 911 call authorities believe she made just 7 minutes earlier.

McHenry County court records show Friday's slaying was not the first time Trzcinski was accused of violent acts toward his mother. In July 2007, Dorothy Trzcinski obtained an order of protection against her son after, the petition states, he attacked her in the family home.

Court records indicate Dorothy Trzcinski said her son had severe psychiatric problems since early in life and was diagnosed as schizophrenic as a 16-year-old.

The order of protection was vacated at his mother's request in January 2008.