Karen Scavelli’s three children looked on quietly this morning in a McHenry County courtroom as Howard E. Dibbern pleaded not guilty to beating, stabbing and breaking their mother’s neck in her Island Lake home.
Dibbern, 49, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
It is unclear how Dibbern, of Chicago, and Scavelli, 48, knew each other, authorities have said.
Dibbern was arrested June 5 after a police chase ended with him crashing Scavelli’s car into a home in Mundelein. At the time authorities were pursuing Dibbern for a report that he had stolen a purse from an employee in a Mundelein bar.
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According to the indictment, Dibbern “stabbed, struck and/or broke the neck” of Scavelli, causing her death last month.
Scavelli’s children Joey Scavelli, 20, Dino Scavelli, 22, and Nicole Allard, 25, along with other family members left the courtroom without comment.
Dibbern has a criminal history including aggravated battery of a police officer, residential burglary and forgery dating back to 1997, according to McHenry County court documents.
Dibbern, who is being represented by a public defender, is being held on $2 million bond.
His next court date is July 24.