Suspect in Ottawa stabbing death still a no-show

A Mokena man accused of killing an Ottawa woman remains a no-show in court, but attorneys and his judge appear to be working around his absence — at least for now.

Michael Swift, 29, awaits trial on five felony counts led by first-degree murder. He would face 20-60 years in prison if convicted of killing 21-year-old Grace Taylor in her apartment on Ottawa’s south side.

Swift raised a few eyebrows last week when he refused to come out of his cell. That decision fell flat with Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia, who signaled then she expected him to appear in person at his next court appearance, set for Thursday.

Swift again was a no-show Thursday but attorneys advised Raccuglia they’ve at least made arrangements for the defense to meet with Swift, if not coax him out of his cell.

The judge seemed reasonably satisfied with that update. She scheduled a Sept. 2 hearing, at which point she may learn the outcome of Swift’s mental health evaluation. If he’s deemed fit, Raccuglia might then set new trial dates.

Notably, Swift isn’t in La Salle County Jail but instead is in Kendall County custody. The victim in the case is the daughter of a La Salle County sheriff’s deputy. The sheriff’s office oversees the county jail.

Swift is accused of killing Taylor in the overnight hours of April 18-19 in her apartment in the 300 block of West McKinley Road. There, police found Taylor dead from multiple knife wounds along with evidence of a defensive struggle.

Swift was initially set for trial Aug. 16, but dates were scuttled after the defense requested a fitness evaluation. Fitness, distinct from sanity at the time of the offense, is whether a defendant has the faculties to assist his lawyer at trial. The evaluation was completed but reports remain pending.