Helmer Appears at Preliminary Hearing for Soliciting Murder for Hire

Stanley J. Helmer, 58, of 6105 Miller Lane in Cary, appeared in the Woodstock court today for his preliminary hearing regarding the felony charges of solicitation to commit murder to hire.

Illinois State Police Department charged Helmer for solicitation to commit murder to hire and aggravated battery to do great bodily harm, according to McHenry County court records.

 Helmer has appeared in bond court twice but the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office submitted an increase in bond form earlier this week because they said Helmer is a threat to public safety.

Both times, Helmer posted 10 percent of his bails, $40,000 March 18 and $10,000 on Monday of this week, according to McHenry County court records.

Helmer’s attorney, Todd Cohen said he never received the form and asked the court for more time to prepare an argument.

"I think my client deserves the same opportunities that are given to the McHenry County State’s Attorney's Office," Cohen said.

Cohen said he is not able to provide additional comment on the case.

Judge Joseph Condon, who filled in for Judge Sharon Prather, did not accept the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office bond increase application because Helmer appearing in bond court twice in the past week.

Helmer is set to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. March 29 in Woodstock. Prather is scheduled to preside over the case.