Bloomington man found unfit to be tried for wife’s murder

Posted on May 17, 2018

*A judge has found Monroe Elbert unfit to stand trial for the murder of his wife, Nicole, at their Bloomington apartment in February.*
*(Nicole Elbert Facebook and Bloomington Police)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – An accused killer from Bloomington has been declared unfit to stand trial in a case that brought into focus the problem of domestic violence in the Twin-Cities.

McLean County Judge Scott Drazewski handed down the ruling after a court-appointed psychiatrist examined Monroe Elbert.

He’s accused of stabbing his wife, Nicole Elbert, 30, multiple times after she packed her belongings and planned to leave him in early February.

Authorities said Elbert, 50, confessed to the killing after calling police to his apartment in the 610 N. McLean St. Police said they found him outside, holding a large butcher knife and wearing blood-stained clothes.

The psychiatrist found Elbert can not meaningfully participate in his own defense, although it’s likely he will be able to do so in a year. Elbert will receive treatment while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services. He’ll be evaluated again in three months.

Elbert is also charged with aggravated battery to a child after police say he confessed to physically abusing his stepson last year.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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