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A Park Ridge man was found guilty of first-degree murder Tuesday for throwing his 77-year-old mother over a railing into the basement of an assisted-living home nearly six years ago, allegedly during a disagreement over a will.
Cook County Circuit Judge William Lacy announced his verdict for Wayne Weinke Jr., 57, after a bench trial that began last month. More than 50 family members packed the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building to hear the ruling — most in support of Weinke.
Prosecutors said Weinke attacked his mother, Gloria Weinke, at her assisted-living facility in Arlington Heights in July 2006 because he was upset over his inheritance after his father's death earlier that year.
A staff member found Gloria Weinke in the basement about 12 hours after the fall. She was conscious and told police that her son had thrown her over the railing after a heated discussion about the will, prosecutors said. She died three months later.
Wayne Weinke, who has been free on bail for nearly six years pending trial, was taken into custody after Tuesday's hearing. He faces 20 to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced at a hearing tentatively scheduled for July 10.
After court, Assistant State's Attorney Jim McKay said the case was difficult because it divided what otherwise was a strong, supportive family.
"The defendant is not an inherently evil man, but he made a very bad mistake," McKay said. "The pain and suffering the family have had to endure continues to this day."
jmeisner@tribune.com
Twitter @jmetr22b
Cook County Circuit Judge William Lacy announced his verdict for Wayne Weinke Jr., 57, after a bench trial that began last month. More than 50 family members packed the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building to hear the ruling — most in support of Weinke.
Prosecutors said Weinke attacked his mother, Gloria Weinke, at her assisted-living facility in Arlington Heights in July 2006 because he was upset over his inheritance after his father's death earlier that year.
A staff member found Gloria Weinke in the basement about 12 hours after the fall. She was conscious and told police that her son had thrown her over the railing after a heated discussion about the will, prosecutors said. She died three months later.
Wayne Weinke, who has been free on bail for nearly six years pending trial, was taken into custody after Tuesday's hearing. He faces 20 to 60 years in prison when he is sentenced at a hearing tentatively scheduled for July 10.
After court, Assistant State's Attorney Jim McKay said the case was difficult because it divided what otherwise was a strong, supportive family.
"The defendant is not an inherently evil man, but he made a very bad mistake," McKay said. "The pain and suffering the family have had to endure continues to this day."
jmeisner@tribune.com
Twitter @jmetr22b
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