SUN CITY – It’s been more than 18 months since Robert Signorile was arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with the domestic violence death of Michelle Mathieu in Sun City. Now, events appear to be heading to a resolution this fall.
Since late March of 2012, Signorile, a 44-year-old tradesman, has been held in McHenry County jail in Woodstock on $2 million bond. His public defenders and county prosecutors have gathered evidence, filed motions, argued legal guidelines, negotiated possible trial procedures, and considered possible plea bargains. Dozens of hearings have been held and a trial date has been postponed many times. There has been no request to lower his bond, so he remains incarcerated.
Robert Signorile (Photo Provided)
“This is a normal time frame in these kinds of domestic violence felony cases,” Rick Behof, one of two public defenders assigned to Signorile’s defense, said. “Everyone involved has to be on the same page regarding rules of discovery and evidence before a trial can be held.”
In September, McHenry County criminal court judge Sharon Prather denied Signorile’s request to hire his own outside counsel. If either a jury or bench trial is held, Prather will be the presiding judge.
As of Oct. 1, here is the bottom line regarding the status of this case: Signorile was formally indicted on a first degree murder charge by a McHenry County grand jury on April 19, 2012. He has requested a jury trial. The date for this is currently set for Nov. 18. On Oct. 23, a hearing before Judge Prather will be held on a state motion to allow considerable evidence uncovered in the investigation to be admissible in the trial.
Much of this evidence contains hearsay statements made by the victim before her death and by her friends and relatives before and after her death.
Signorile and Mathieu, his girlfriend, rented a home in Sun city’s neighborhood 10 from the homeowner in the summer of 2012. They reportedly offered the homeowner, whose home was in foreclosure, $5,000 in cash to move in. Since Mathieu’s death, investigators discovered that the couple were not age-qualified to live in the 55-or-over Sun City community, because both of them were under 55 years old.
In the seven months the couple lived in Sun City, they remained very private and did not participate in community or neighborhood activities, according to N.10 residents. One Sun City resident who reportedly had limited contact with the couple told the Sun Day he has been subpoenaed to appear in court and possibly testify if a trial is held.
Shortly after they moved in, on Aug. 21, Huntley police were called to the home on a domestic violence complaint. At that time, according to court records, Signorile plead guilty to a reduced charge of battery, a misdemeanor, after authorities charged him with striking and throwing a hard object at Mathieu and grabbing her by the hair. Shortly afterward, under an order of protection issued by authorities, he left the home but returned a few months later.
According to the records, Huntley Police were again called to the home at about 4:30 p.m. on March 18, 2012, after receiving a call that Mathieu was unresponsive on the floor. First responders reportedly found Mathieu in the master bedroom at the foot of the bed, unconscious and badly bruised. The 911 call was made by Bette Lemke. Signorile reportedly told Lemke that he could not wake Michelle and was reluctant to call for help. Prosecutors say Signorile told police investigators that he and Michelle were drinking throughout the evening of March 17.
Authorities say that, under initial questioning by police in the home, the defendant claimed that the victim’s bruises were the result of “falling.”
At a local hospital, records say, Michelle was found to have three fractured ribs, a fractured spine, severe injuries to the pupil of her right eye, and significant head and brain trauma. She succumbed to these injuries on Mar. 24. Two days later, Signorile, who Huntley police say checked into another area hospital after the incident, was indicted on a first degree murder charge and jailed.
“During the last months of her life, Michelle’s family, friends, and neighbors observed the aftermath of, and heard Michelle refer to, the ongoing physical and verbal abuse she endured at the hands of the defendant,” prosecutors say.
A total of 21 statements from a dozen family members and friends of Michelle’s are included in a rules of evidence and relevant law motion filed by Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally on Sept. 23. In addition, authorities say they recovered 26 videos from Signorile’s cell phone, which they say depict the couple engaged in various conflicts, both physical and verbal.
“We are in a stage now where both sides are considering a plea offer, in which the defendant could plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence,” Behof said. “Right now, he faces a sentence of anywhere from 20 to 60 years in prison if convicted. A plea offer could come from the prosecution or our side any time up until trial.”
The Sun City home where these incidents took place has been cleared of foreclosure and was purchased by a new resident earlier this year.
