A grand jury has upgraded charges to attempted murder for a McHenry man accused of stabbing a family member in the head and face near McHenry in December.
Brandon L. Motter, 28, of McHenry, was initially charged in December with two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and domestic battery.
A McHenry County grand jury on Thursday returned a seven-count indictment charging Motter with attempted murder, aggravated domestic battery and five counts of aggravated battery.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:55 p.m. on December 21 to the 5200 block of Woodrow Avenue in unincorporated McHenry.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Motter stabbed a family member at the residence.
Motter used a knife to stab another man, who is at least 60 years old, two times, according to the complaint.
The victim suffered a wound to the left cheek and a wound to the top of the head, the complaint said.
The grand jury indictment said Motter had the intent to kill the victim during the incident.
The male victim was transported to a local hospital where he received numerous stitches to close the wounds.
Deputies arrested Motter and transported him to the McHenry County Jail.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Motter in jail pending trial.
Prosecutors said he posed a real and present threat to the safety of others.
McHenry County Judge Michael Chmiel denied the petition and released Motter from custody.
The judge ordered Motter to not possess any firearms, have no contact with the victim and be placed on electronic monitoring.
Motter was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and not consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
Court records show Motter remains on pre-trial release following the upgraded charges being filed.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges on February 21.