North Barrington attorney accused in home invasion pleads not guilty

A North Barrington attorney pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of breaking into a Hawthorn Woods home and using a gun to threaten his ex-wife and daughter.

Raymond Clutts, 57, of the 100 block of Clubhouse Drive, faces 26 to 50 years in prison if found guilty of discharging a firearm during a home invasion about 6:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, Lake County Judge George Bridges said.

Clutts also faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of possessing a firearm during a home invasion, Bridges said, and up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Both charges are not probationable, Bridges said.

Clutts was also charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and criminal trespassing to a residence with a person present. If found guilty on those charges, he could be sentenced to prison sentences ranging from 1 to 3 years, Bridges said.

Clutts remains held in the Lake County jail without bond, Assistant State's Attorney Stephen DeRue said. DeRue said the courts felt "no amount of bond would ensure the safety of the victims."

DeRue said Clutts walked into the ex-wife's kitchen in the 0-100 block of Barberry Court with a gun in his hand. Clutts stared at the victims for a second, before firing multiple shots into the ceiling, DeRue said.

The victims escaped by running out the front door, DeRue said. They were not injured.

Hawthorn Woods Police arrived at the residence a short time later and confronted Clutts in the driveway, DeRue said. Clutts put his hands up when officers arrived, but lowered his hand and made a gesture that he was going after the weapon in his waist band, DeRue said.

One officer fire a shot at Clutts, and a second officer fired a stun gun, DeRue said. The gun shot missed Clutts, but he was struck by the stun gun and arrested, DeRue said.

Clutts was the owner of a Schaumburg law firm, but he has said in previous court hearings the offices were closed.

DeRue said Clutts has no criminal history.

His trial is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 17. He is due back in court Jan. 20.