Public defender will represent father in AJ's murder case
A special public defender has been appointed for Andrew Freund Sr., who has been charged with murdering his 5-year old son, AJ.
Freund, 60, appeared Friday morning in McHenry County circuit court just hours before a public visitation for the boy was set to begin at the Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Crystal Lake.
In the proceeding before Judge Robert Wilbrandt, Freund was considered to be indigent, and veteran attorney Henry Sugden appointed as special public defender to represent him.
On an affidavit of assets and liabilities and the order approving a public defender, Freund reported having no bank accounts and credit card balances of about $15,000 on four or five cards. He also reported an outstanding debt of $5,000.
Freund reported being employed by Contractors Inc., the last three years. He said he was paid $1,250 every week but isn't paid if he doesn't work.
"I don't know if I'm still employed at this point," he told the court.
He said he does not receive unemployment, workers comp, welfare, social security or other benefits and has no cash, other assets or sources of money.
He said he pays $300 per month on a 2005 Chrysler, unknown model, and still owes $2,200. His house of more than 30 years at 94 Dole Ave., in Crystal Lake, is in foreclosure with a mortgage of $112,000.
The house, which is in disrepair inside and out, recently was boarded up. It had been the site of a silent vigil April 24 when Freund and AJ's mother, JoAnn Cunningham, 36, were arrested and charged with murder and other crimes.
After the proceeding, Sugden said he may seek a gag order but did not comment further. Freund and Cunningham, who also is represented by a public defender, are being held at the McHenry County Jail on bail of $5 million each. They are due in court May 10.
They are expected to enter pleas at that time, pending indictments.
In addition to first-degree murder, Cunningham and Freund are charged with aggravated battery, aggravated domestic battery and failure to report a missing child or child death.