Bond set at $3M for Mokena man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in Ottawa

A Mokena man was ordered held Tuesday on a $3 million bond after authorities alleged he stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in her apartment early Monday on Ottawa’s South Side.

Michael S. Swift, 29, of 11600 block of Blackhawk Court is charged with first-degree murder, which carries 20 to 60 years in prison with no possibility of probation.

Swift is accused of entering the apartment of Grace Taylor and killing her with a knife. Wounds were reported on her neck and throat, prosecutors said.

Chief Deputy Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Greg Sticka said in open court that Ottawa police were alerted early Monday by an unidentified member Swift’s family. The family member alleged that Swift had admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend in her apartment, Sticka said.

Ottawa police were dispatched to the residence in the 300 block of West McKinley Road and found Taylor dead, Sticka said.

Swift was developed as a suspect and located at his Mokena home, Sticka said. The prosecutor said Swift provided police with a taped statement. In it, Swift told police he went to Taylor’s apartment in the early morning hours Monday, armed with a knife and intending to kill her, and entered the apartment through an unlocked door. Sticka said Swift told police he acted in “anger and jealousy.”

Stick further alleged that there was a struggle and Taylor sustained defensive wounds. Police who interviewed Swift noted he also had minor injuries to his hands, Sticka said. Swift, who was heavily manacled, had a bandage over his right thumb.

The case is assigned to Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia, who approved the state’s request for bond – Swift needs to post $300,000 cash to be released – and approved Swift’s request for the services of the public defender.

Swift will next appear May 6 for arraignment.

The victim in the case has been identified as the daughter of a La Salle County Sheriff’s deputy. State’s Attorney Todd Martin said he does not plan to bring in a special prosecutor.

“I do not think there is a conflict of interest,” Martin said after he was asked if it would present a conflict.

Martin said a news conference would take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the state’s attorney’s office in Ottawa.