Woman pleads not guilty in aiding killer's escape

A Chicago woman pleaded not guilty to helping a convicted killer escape from the Elgin Mental Health Center, authorities said Wednesday.

Lisa D. Mack, 38, of the 800 block of South Dante Ave., is accused of aiding an escape of a felon in the Sept. 3 incident .

Police said Mack went to visit Tolbert Walls in the facility's forensic unit and gave Walls a visitor's pass. The two then walked out together and drove off in Mack's car.

Mack, who is free on bond, is a mother of six who helps run a family-owned business. She is thought to be related to Walls through marriage, said her attorney, Matt Downs.

Downs said he is waiting to review police reports before he can decide on how to proceed with the case.

Mack was arrested the day after the escape. Walls was on the lam for nearly a month.

Walls, 32, was sent to Elgin after he was found unfit to stand trial on armed robbery charges, according to court records.

Prior to that, he had served roughly 15 years in prison for a 1991 gang-related slaying of a teenager on Chicago's South Side, records show.

A dragnet for Walls ended Oct. 5 when federal agents tracked him to a relative's house in the 600 block of West 59th Street in Chicago, where he barricaded himself inside.

Police cordoned off several blocks before they stormed the home and used pepper spray and Taser stun guns to capture Walls, who was hiding in the attic.

Walls also faces an escape charge in Kane County, but because he is still undergoing mental health treatment, it is unknown when he will show up in court, said Assistant State's Attorney Alice Tracy.