$1 million bail in Arlington Heights slaying

A Cook County judge set bail at $1 million Wednesday for 41-year-old Steven M. Cole, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father, Stuart Cole, at the family's Arlington Heights home.

Cole, who prosecutors say has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, tearfully interrupted the hearing several times with rambling declarations, which included claims that he had been mentally and physically abused for two years. Family members deny those claims, prosecutors said.

Cole's polite but frequent disruptions prompted a warning from Judge Kay Hanlon, who stated she would remove him to a holding cell if he didn't remain quiet during the prosecution's statement.

This is not the first time Arlington Heights police have had contact with Steven Cole, whom they described as a mixed martial arts fighter. They have been called to the family's Stratford Road residence “numerous times,” said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Maria McCarthy. A police spokesman indicated at least two and as many as six officers were dispatched at those times to deal with Cole because of his strength and training.

In 2000, Steven Cole attacked and injured Stuart Cole in the presence of officers who had responded to a domestic battery call, McCarthy said. Cole had threatened to kill the victim at that time and again in 2007 when he threatened to kill both parents, McCarthy said, adding that Cole was involuntarily hospitalized in October 2010 after threatening to kill others and himself. He stayed with a friend after his release and returned to the family home last January, McCarthy said.

The family home was where Arlington Heights police encountered Steven Cole early Tuesday morning after Cole's 911 call reporting he had killed his father. Cole, whose clothes appeared to be bloodstained, called and made similar claims to other family members, including his mother in a local nursing home, McCarthy said.

Police found the victim in the lower-level family room, where he appeared to have been stabbed as he lay on the couch, McCarthy said. The medical examiner's report indicates Stuart Cole suffered four stab wounds to his chest, numerous lacerations to his face and head, and defensive wounds to his hands and wrists, McCarthy said.

His body was found on the floor between the couch and the fireplace. Police found a bloody lug wrench and a bloody log vise nearby and a bloody knife under the washing machine, McCarthy said.

Steven Cole told police he planned to pour alcohol on his father and set him on fire, authorities said. A bottle of rubbing alcohol and matches were recovered near the victim.

Family members said Steven Cole did not feel his father appreciated him or the things Steven did for the family, McCarthy said.

Cole told the judge that he is on disability and spends most of his time alone at home.

“I have no friends at all,” he said. “All I want is to feel needed and have a thank you.”

At the scene, Cole told police that he had consumed a large number of pills and he was taken to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. He appeared in the Rolling Meadows courtroom wearing a hospital gown, pants and yellow bootees. Cook County Assistant Public Defender Helen Tsimouris represented Cole during the bond hearing.

His criminal background includes convictions for forgery in 2008, theft in 1992 and retail theft in 1989. In each case the court sentenced Cole to 24 months' probation, McCarthy said.

A former girlfriend obtained an order of protection against him in 2004 and extended it in 2006 after Cole left her a voice-mail message saying he was “capable of anything, including murder,” McCarthy said. He subsequently received two years' conditional discharge for violating that order of protection, McCarthy said.

In 2007, he spent 15 days in jail after a conviction of aggravated assault. A suicidal Cole called Palatine police and said he was armed and would shoot a police officer if confronted, McCarthy said. He displayed a gun in his waistband, later found to be a pellet gun, which he refused to surrender until police shot him with a bean bag round, McCarthy said.

Court records also indicate he has misdemeanor convictions for criminal damage to property for which he served two days in jail, and domestic battery, theft and battery for which he received sentences ranging from supervision to probation.

If convicted in his father's death, Cole could face 20 to 60 years in prison. He was taken to Cook County jail's Cermak Health Services for evaluation and next appears in court June 23.

This marks the second time in as many months that an Arlington Heights son has been charged with killing his father. Matthew Nellessen and three co-defendants remain in Cook County jail on charges they murdered Nellessen's father, 55-year-old widower George Nellessen.