Accused Woodstock thrill killer pleads not guilty

A former Woodstock man accused of stabbing a homeless man in an alleged thrill killing pleaded not guilty Friday morning to two counts of first-degree murder.

Kyle W. Morgan, 25, was in court Friday to face charges he beat and stabbed to death 28-year-old Robin A. Burton in Morgan's Woodstock apartment last year. Investigators also found evidence that Burton's body was mutilated.

Authorities recently brought Morgan back to McHenry County from Tennessee, where he was facing charges stemming from his attempts to elude police.

Police say that after the killing, Morgan fled to Nashville, where he was arrested after striking two pedestrians and a building during a car chase.

Morgan pleaded guilty in January to charges related to his attempt to flee police in Nashville and received a prison sentence of five years. His extradition was delayed because of disciplinary issues arising from his stay in a Tennessee jail, according to prosecutors.

Morgan's next court date was set for July 2 to accommodate the schedule of Morgan's prominent defense attorney Steve Greenberg, leading to an amusing exchange between Judge Joseph Condon and Morgan's other attorney, Steve McArdle of Crystal Lake.

"As far as I'm concerned, you're just as good as Mr. Greenberg," Condon said.

"I appreciate that, judge," McArdle replied.

Greenberg, who led the team that defended convicted child killer Brian Dugan, is in the middle of a federal mortgage trial and will be busy in July defending former Bolingbrook police Sgt. Drew Peterson against charges he killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Outside the courtroom, McArdle declined to comment on what kind of defense he and Greenberg will mount.

McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi said his office is still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty; he expects a decision soon.

Morgan is being held at the McHenry County jail on no bond.