Accused Fox River Grove killer found unfit to stand trial

A Fox River Grove man accused of beating his stepmother to death with a hammer has been found mentally unfit to stand trial.

On Thursday, McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather ruled that Martin N. Green, 26, of the 100 block of Gladys Avenue is unfit to stand trial at this time but that there is a high probability he will be fit after one year of state-supervised treatment.

Two expert witnesses ­- a court-appointed psychiatrist and a psychologist hired by prosecutors - arrived at the same conclusion.

The most recent report on Green's mental fitness, prepared by psychologist Orest Wasyliw, concluded that Green suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and possibly bipolar disorder, preventing him from understanding the court proceedings or contributing to his defense.

Both Green's attorney, Henry Sugden, and Philip Hiscock, criminal division chief for the McHenry County State's Attorney's office, agreed to accept those findings on Thursday.

Green is accused of killing his 52-year-old stepmother, Patricia L. McNamara, on Feb. 11, the same day his father gave him an ultimatum to either seek help for his mental issues or move out of the family home. Green faces six counts of first-degree murder. He could spend from 20 years to life in prison is he is found guilty.

Green's family released a statement after McNamara's death that said Green has been fighting mental illness for years. His attorney has said he may pursue an insanity defense.

Until Green is fit to stand trial, he will be held in a secure mental health facility run by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Green's next court date is Aug. 26, when Prather is expected to review a treatment plan.