Ex-husband had order of protection against Elgin woman
A 34-year-old Elgin woman, who faces murder charges alleging she hit her boyfriend in the head with a frying pan over the weekend, was the subject of an emergency order of protection obtained by her ex-husband in 2008, according to court records.
Nora Leach Peterson, of the 100 block of State Street, was charged with murder on Monday.
Elgin police said Peterson hit Michael N. Mielczarek, 55, in the head with the pan Saturday afternoon, causing him to fall, hit his head on the floor and later die.
Peterson called for an ambulance after Mielczarek hit the floor and stopped breathing, police said.
Kane County Judge Kathryn Karayannis on Monday set Peterson's bail at $750,000, meaning she must post $75,000 bond to be free while her case is pending.
Police said Monday that Peterson struck Mielczarek in the head with several items, including a frying pan, which caused him to fall and strike his head on the floor.
Elgin Police Cmdr. Glenn Theriault declined to elaborate Tuesday on what items were used.
“Everything beyond the news release will have to be for trial,” he said.
Neither Mielczarek nor Peterson have any previous criminal charges in Kane County of domestic violence or battery, according to court records.
But records from Nora Peterson's divorce suggest abuse may have occurred, with her as the aggressor.
On Sept. 10, 2008, Jeffrey Peterson of Sleepy Hollow filed for divorce against his wife, Nora, and also obtained an emergency order of protection against her, records show.
In the order, which expired several weeks later on Oct. 1, 2008, Jeffrey Peterson said his wife of nearly four years had committed physical abuse and harassment, court records show.
And in the divorce papers, he claimed irreconcilable differences and that she was guilty of “extreme mental cruelty,” an allegation she later disputed, records show.
The couple eventually reached a settlement for their marital assets in June 2009.
Peterson is due in court again on Aug. 29 and faces 20 to 60 years in prison if convicted.