Charges upgraded in Arlington Hts. woman's death

Cook County prosecutors Monday announced the indictment of an Arlington Heights man on charges of first-degree murder in the death of his grandmother.

Police had charged Daniel G. Levine, 25, of the 3300 block of Carriage Way Drive, with attempted murder and aggravated battery in the October 2009 stabbing of his grandmother Sylvia Lev, 86, at the condominium they shared.

Lev was stabbed 16 times, authorities said. She died earlier this year at the Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines. Prosecutors upgraded the charges against Levine to first-degree murder after a Cook County medical examiner ruled her death a homicide. If convicted, Levine could receive a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison.

Authorities said Levine told police he wanted to kill his grandmother because she antagonized him.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Sherie DeDore, a special prosecutor with the seniors and persons with disabilities unit, announced the new indictment at Monday's hearing before Cook County Circuit Court Judge James Etchingham in Rolling Meadows' Third Municipal District.

Levine remains in Cook County Jail on a $2 million bail.