Prosecutors: Would-be blacksmith wanted parents killed with hammer
Joshua Miceli wanted his parents dead, DuPage County prosecutors said, and because they didn't support his chosen career path as a blacksmith, it had to be done with a hammer.
And, prosecutors said, he wanted them to suffer.
Miceli, 23, of the 1N600 block of Park Boulevard near Glen Ellyn, first approached his longtime friend Michael Targo on Feb. 2 to talk about bludgeoning Miceli's parents, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Targo, 18, of Glendale Heights, thought about the plot for about a week before ultimately putting the plan into action early Sunday morning.
Miceli and Targo are each being held on $3 million bail in the attack. Miceli is charged with two counts of solicitation of murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Targo is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Miceli, prosecutors said, claimed to have suffered verbal and mental abuse at the hands of his parents.
Prosecutors said Miceli picked Targo up and brought him home around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Miceli's mother was still awake, so Targo hid behind the couch until prompted by Miceli.
At some point, prosecutors said, Miceli picked up the family dog to prevent it from interfering while Targo attacked Miceli's mother from behind with a hammer.
Targo then went to an upstairs bedroom to kill Miceli's father, who fought off the attack and called 911 as Targo fled, authorities said.
The father was treated for injuries and released from a hospital on Sunday. Prosecutors said they think the mother is still hospitalized.
Authorities said Targo was identified as a suspect and quickly apprehended at a gas station at the intersection of North Avenue and Park Boulevard.
Sheriff's officials say Miceli confessed to hiring Targo to murder his parents.
Prosecutors said the pair planned to pawn household items after the murders and sell a family car. They estimated the proceeds would net them about $2 million, which would be Targo's payment.
Targo is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. March 12 before Judge Jeffrey MacKay. Because the men are prohibited from having any contact in jail, Miceli will be arraigned at 9 a.m. March 13.