Fox River Grove hammer killing suspect to be checked out by doctor

Prosecutors will be able to evaluate the mental fitness of a Fox River Grove man accused of beating his stepmother to death with a hammer.

A McHenry County judge on Tuesday entered an order allowing a medical expert picked by the McHenry County State's Attorney's office to examine 26-year-old Martin Green in jail.

Prosecutors' move to independently examine Green comes after a court-appointed expert found him unfit to stand trial now but that he likely would be fit in a year, according to Green's attorney, Henry Sugden.

Sugden has previously hinted he may pursue an insanity defense, while Green's family issued a statement detailing the man's history of mental illness.

Authorities say that on Feb. 11 Green killed Patricia McNamara, 52, in their Fox River Grove home after Green's father threatened to kick him out if he did not get help for his psychological issues.

Green, of the 100 block of Gladys Avenue, faces six counts of first-degree murder. His next court date is June 16.