Police: Man Commits Suicide in Kendall Courthouse Parking Lot

caring citizen January 13, 2013 at 03:24 am

Wow SuZy: As a Mom to a very depressed daughter with history of suicide attempts, none of the prior comments offended me except yours. I can see all sides to the debate and argument of suicide versus suicide/homicide. BOTH are devastating, but without a doubt one is more devastaating and people have a right to voice their thoughts. But to blame the family and friends who were blindsided - you clearly do not understand the varying ways depression can present and how people hide it. Bless the family and friends during this time of tragedy

Mark Wells January 13, 2013 at 03:32 am

A 19 year old college student possessing a fake ID card can be charged with a felony. When I was in college it was almost a rite of passage to have a fake ID. It was always a misdemeanor then, today it's a felony. This is an Illinois state law, not specific to Kendall County. I disagree with the 21 year old drinking age. We ask young people to fight and die in the military at 18. However, they are not allowed to have a beer. Fake IDs and underage drinking parties are a predictable response to a bad law. To add insult to injury, our legislators passed yet another bad law making it a felony. Most counties would allow a kid with no other criminal record to plead it down to a misdemeanor, but not Kendall. They have no problem ruining a young person's life to get a felony conviction.

notAdemocrat January 13, 2013 at 06:31 am

Mark, you know this how? Have you ever prosecuted someone in 'most counties?' Or have you ever been prosecuted in 'most counties?'
Look, I understand some people just need a break. But i find it preposterous that people point fingers at Kendall county's law enforcement and judicial system under the notion they 'hand out' felonies... YEAH! These people read articles on the patch and think they know what happened and circumstances behind the crime and the states attorney's decision to OK felony charges. I don't even live in Kendall county. Why am I reading these bleeding heart comments? My condolences go out to this man's surviving family and friends.

I. J. January 13, 2013 at 02:29 pm

Kendall County does have a reputation for being strict on punishing criminals. Word gets around fast to the criminal element not to mess up in Kendall Co. Even misdemeanors are taken seriously. Look at Will Co. There are so many repeat offenders because of the minor consequences. I would you feel arresting a 30yr old person for shoplifting when they have 15 prior arrests and convictions with little to no jail time. Not in Kendall Co.

Mark Wells January 13, 2013 at 03:50 pm

This man's identity hasn't been released, and the possible motive for his suicide may never be known. I don't know why he chose this particular spot, maybe it was at random. He may have been despondent over a recent divorce or custody case. I made an offhand remark that probably wasn't appriopriate considering so little information is available. I apologize for the wild speculation.

aaron hootman January 13, 2013 at 03:50 pm

I wish ppl would stop coddling The youth of today. That might be a place to start. So many kids today think they have it so bad, rough. It's sad that they are this selfish, and Irresponsible.

Mark Wells January 13, 2013 at 04:44 pm

That would bother me just as much as ruining a 19 year old's life on a first offense.

Mark Wells January 13, 2013 at 05:00 pm

I'm not criticizing law enforcement. There are a number of laws and prescribed punishments in Illinois that I feel are far too harsh. There are also areas where the law is not strict enough. In both cases, police and prosecutors are simply doing their job by bringing the appropriate charges. However, there are remedies for this in plea agreements and reduced charges. I am getting my information from a half dozen attorneys who all said exactly the same thing about Kendall county.
The fake ID law I mentioned is one that I feel is far too harsh considering that virtually everyone charged is between 18 and 20 years old. I also think minor drug possession charges are too harsh at least when it comes to marijuana. My concern here is not for myself, but for young college age kids who run into trouble. These are relatively minor, non-violent, and essentially victimless crimes. This isn't the type of thing that leads to more serious crime.

I. J. January 13, 2013 at 06:51 pm

The consequences must be truly explained and understood by the parent of that 19 yr old before the decision is made. If Kendall Co chooses to apply the harshest penalty for crimes it is a deterrent. It will make offenders avoid the County. I have heard many a person say "Don't try that it Kendal County".

Fed Up January 13, 2013 at 08:16 pm

Prosecutors in Kendall county should be in prison for some of the things they do, some day it will be proven.

Mark Wells January 13, 2013 at 08:41 pm

In the particular case I am thinking of, the parent was never informed of the felony shoplifting charges. The father found out several years later after the boy had graduated from college and couldn't find a job becuse of his felony record.

Mark Wells January 13, 2013 at 08:45 pm

I don't apologize for starting a conversation about absurdly harsh justice in Kendall county. It's been a long time coming.

Jerry Byrd January 13, 2013 at 10:06 pm

Spoken like a true criminal. FYI the police never get into my life but then again I'm not a criminal!

Lisa M. January 14, 2013 at 02:14 am

I am horrified this is the same community that has expressed compassion in other ways at other times and has fallen so short here. I totally agree. Family and friends, my heart and my compassion go out to you. I believe suicide can be a result of a series of very, very, very bad days, weeks or months and are not an expression of an entire lifetime. And, as you grapple with your grief and pain and try to build a construct of this horrible day - my compassion, my hopes and peace - to the best I am able to give them - are with you, too.

sassy January 14, 2013 at 03:46 pm

Don't Judge a person when they feel the only way to stop the pain in there heart is to leave this place.Shame the Family that didn't see the warnin signs or don't bother to visit or call to even see if he is alive.No one should feel so lonely that the only way out of the pain and tears and emptiness is to die.

sassy January 14, 2013 at 03:47 pm

People don't take their own life to hurt others..They take there own life to stop the pain!

sassy January 14, 2013 at 03:59 pm

You post my same thoughts on this except I didn't word it as well as you.Thank you for posting this...you understand why people take their life.Bless you and Peace.

sassy January 14, 2013 at 04:19 pm

Don't you see yet that when a person came to that decision to leave this World and stop the pain and emptiness ...They are NOT going to call a
Hottline or Take a antidepressant Pill!

sassy January 14, 2013 at 04:29 pm

Don't you get it? When a person say's. It's. The Only Way to stop the Pain and from Being Lonely and feeling unloved...They made up their minds and they are NOT gonna call a Hot Line or take a antidepressant. Pill that has even more side effects to add to the pain!

Brooke Elizabeth January 14, 2013 at 11:55 pm

I couldn't even read all these (mainly ignorant comments) This poor man, regardless of his criminal background, felt so alone he chose suicide feeling this was his only way to end his pain. Shame on all of you for passing judgment! I pray, through his death you can open your eyes, search your own soul and make it known to others you care and there is help. Thank God Yorkville now has a SPS ( Suicide Prevention Services ) Office that can help anyone who feels this alone. Shame on you Patch for allowing such bullying. These nasty comments need to be taken down with only a link to Suicide Prevention Services of America. Sir Taco you make me sick, I will pray for you, as well as all the other negative people on here

catwomen111 January 15, 2013 at 12:57 am

criminal background? flipping idiot you are as ignorant as the rest of the idiots on this page you stupid hypocrite. you al are making assumptions and passing judgements. all the article says is he was a man. he shot himself. you draw stupid conclusions about being mentally ill and a criminal and more conclusions about his family. you're all idiots

Senior Taco January 30, 2013 at 11:47 pm

Wow.... How odd?
One dead in Phoenix office shooting - http://news.yahoo.com/police-1-dead-ariz-shooting-suspect-loose-234833738.html

My respects February 4, 2013 at 12:47 pm

I find it awfully interesting that this thread has become a place for people to pick apart others thoughts or opinions. Every one has a different life experience, and to belittle someone because they have not directly experienced suicide is sad, they still have an entitlement to their own feelings whether they have personally experienced the tragedy or not. To think that you know better than the next person because of what you have been through is one form of a closed mind, but to backfire and belittle them or their opinions is a whole different story. A little ironic considering the topic, eh? Suicide prevention is a wonderful thing and I give all of my respects to the workers behind the scenes. To blame someone's family, friends, etc. for the tragedy is just sad.. who's to say they didn't try their hardest to prevent it from happening? The blame can not automatically be pushed on the surrounding people in the individual's life, after all it does boil down to personal choice. May his family find peace in their time of sorrow, and may he fly freely in the afterlife riddened of his burdens.

dick March 3, 2013 at 08:43 am

Many DA's charge up people so that they feel pressured to take a deal. This sucks when your actually innocent but just being harassed by an underpaid cop with a small dick. Get your head out of your ass #Defense Attorney I am sure you prosecuted a few people you were not quite sure did it

Mark Wells March 3, 2013 at 09:23 am

Just good people and bad people? Which category does a 19 year old college student who drinks alcohol fall into? If the kid gets arrested and charged with a crime, then which category is he in? Now he's a criminal, so he must be a bad person.

Mark Wells March 3, 2013 at 09:26 am

It turns out the man was charged with 3 "crimes" about 2 years ago, all misdemeanors. I don't understand the charges, but it had to do with burying an animal on his property. Maybe his dog died or something. He also went through a very rough divorce a year ago.

Mark Wells March 3, 2013 at 09:27 am

My point was that he chose this spot for a reason. That reason is Kendall county justice, or injustice depending on which side of the table you sit at.

Mark Wells March 3, 2013 at 09:31 am

It turns out the man was charged with 3 "crimes" about 2 years ago, all misdemeanors. I don't understand the charges, but it had to do with burying an animal on his property. Maybe his dog died or something. He also went through a very rough divorce a year ago.

Mark Wells March 3, 2013 at 09:32 am

It turns out the man was charged with 3 "crimes" about 2 years ago, all misdemeanors. I don't understand the charges, but it had to do with burying an animal on his property. Maybe his dog died or something. He also went through a very rough divorce a year ago.

Mark Wells March 3, 2013 at 09:34 am

I am not saying the man was a criminal (as a few people have said). I suspected he may have been aggressively prosecuted for something relatively minor and indeed he was.
It turns out the man was charged with 3 "crimes" about 2 years ago, all misdemeanors. I don't understand the charges, but it had to do with burying an animal on his property. Maybe his dog died or something. He also went through a very rough divorce a year ago.