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Attorney: Geneva woman accused of killing husband tries again to kill self

Julia Gutierrez, accused of poisoning her husband to death in January, has tried again to kill herself, according to her attorney.

Kane County assistant public defender Julie Yetter told Judge D.J. Tegeler Thursday Gutierrez tried to do so sometime last weekend while in custody at the Kane County jail.

Gutierrez, 53, is now on a suicide watch, Yetter said. Per the jail's practice, that means she is restricted to her cell and can't visit common areas, and officers are to check her status every 15 minutes.

Gutierrez was on suicide watch at the jail in May.

That has hampered Gutierrez' abilities to try to find a private attorney, as Tegeler had asked her to do at a June court appearance.

Gutierrez doesn't have access to a telephone and visits are more limited under the watch, Yetter said. Telephones are located in the common areas of the jail.

Tegeler believes Gutierrez may be able to afford a private attorney. But, Yetter said, determining that requires Gutierrez finding out whether she can use money from her bank accounts or use other assets, such as her house, which is valued at about $400,000.

Her husband Eduardo's estate is being probated, and the administrator of the estate has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Julia Gutierrez. Julia and Eduardo held the house in joint tenancy.

Yetter said mental health counseling has been offered to Gutierrez in the jail, and Tegeler urged her to use it.

"Please talk to someone. I can't imagine being in your position right now," he said.

Gutierrez is accused of putting an overdose of sedatives prescribed for her in a protein shake she made for her husband. She then tried to kill herself, according to prosecutors.

According to assistant state's attorney Greg Sams, Gutierrez tried to kill her husband and herself in the same way in 2002. No charges were brought because Gutierrez complied with psychiatric treatment, according to Yetter.

• If you or a loved one are in crisis, visit the nearest emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1(800) 273-7255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

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