Murder victim’s mom seeks closure in murder case against son-in-law

Posted on February 16, 2018
Mother of Nicole Elbert seeks closure in murder case against Nicole’s husband, Monroe Elbert. (Nicole Elbert Facebook and Bloomington Police)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The mother of Bloomington murder victim Nicole Elbert wants to know everything about the criminal proceedings against her daughter’s husband.

Authorities say Monroe Elbert, 50, from Bloomington, fatally stabbed his 30-year old wife multiple times February 5 as she was packing her belongings and leaving him.

Nicole’s mother, Melissa Pendley, attended Friday’s brief procedural hearing for Elbert, and she plans to be in the courtroom for future hearings.

“I want to know everything that’s going on with him,” said Pendley.

“I need closure,” she added.

Pendley wants her son-in-law locked up for the rest of his life, or receive the death penalty, which is not an option under Illinois law.

“It would be nice if there was (a death penalty),” Pendley also said.

Elbert pleaded not guilty to murder and to aggravated battery charges accusing him of physically abusing his eight-year old stepson last year.

He’s being held on $5 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court again March 22nd.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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