Suspect pleads innocent to murder charges

The woman accused of killing a Round Lake Beach man by dragging him under her car pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Lori Michelsen, 43, of Arlington Heights, is accused of murdering Brian Boatright, 29, during an argument Jan. 8. The two had been dating for about nine months, police said.

Michelsen and Boatright were arguing in her Volvo station wagon in a parking lot on the 300 block of Rollins Road when Boatright got out of the car, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Patricia Fix said.

Michelsen drove forward, knocked Boatright to the ground and pinned him under the car, Fix said.

Michelsen then drove around in the parking lot as witnesses screamed at her to stop. She headed north on Cedar Lake Road, west on Meadow Green Lane and pulled into the Meadow Green Apartments where Boatright had lived.

When police arrived at the scene, they found Michelsen standing over Boatright's body in the parking lot, officials said.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Willett said Michelsen had a blood alcohol content of .072 at the time and also is charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol.

Circuit Judge George Bridges told Michelsen she faces 20 to 60 years in prison if convicted of first-degree murder, and up to 14 years on the DUI charge.

He scheduled a trial of the case for April 7. He ordered Michelsen, who is held on $1 million bond, to appear in court March 10.