A 19-year-old Mundelein man originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father during a family fight has been indicted on a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter by a Lake County grand jury, authorities said.
Assistant State’s Atty. Steve Scheller said the grand jury apparently believed the son did not intentionally kill his father, who had tried to intervene in a fight between his two sons.
James Lortie, 53, died June 26 after trying to break up a fight over money between his son, Dennis, and another son, 14, police said.
Dennis Lortie, a former wrestler at Libertyville High School, allegedly grabbed his father in a headlock, authorities said. Autopsy results showed James Lortie died of suffocation.
The lesser charge means Dennis Lortie faces a less severe penalty if convicted. Involuntary manslaughter carries a 2- to 5-year prison term.
On Thursday, Lortie was released from the Lake County jail after his bond was reduced from $500,000 to $150,000, which enabled relatives to post bond. Lortie’s trial is scheduled for Sept. 8.