COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A man "executed" his elderly father inside his Canaryville home after a long-standing family feud took a violent and tragic turn last week, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Donald J. McNamara, 58, of south suburban Worth, has been charged with murder after going to his father's Canaryville home and confronting him before shooting him in the back of his head, according to prosecutors.
The father, Donald L. McNamara, 86, was found dead in his home in 4100 block of South Wallace Avenue on Aug. 10.
That day, the younger McNamara went to his father's house to talk about "disrespectful" comments his dad made about him and other family members, Assistant State's Attorney Jillian Anselmo said during a bond hearing Wednesday.
READ: Canaryville Man, 86, Murdered In His Home; 'It's A Mystery'
The father did not apologize and instead reiterated the comments that hurt his son, Anselmo said. As the father continued to make critical comments to his son, the son turned around and shot his father in the back of his head, she said.
The violent moment was the culmination of a protracted family conflict, Anselmo said. Though a niece and an acquaintance of the accused were in court, McNamara's wife of 19 years and other relatives were absent.
The younger McNamara was arrested Monday after detectives met with the family to learn about the murdered family patriarch, Anselmo said. During the meeting, the son interrupted detectives and admitted to the killing, and then made a videotaped confession to the crime, she said.
McNamara had previously confessed to other family members, including his mother and wife, prosecutors said.
The "execution" was "extremely troubling," Judge James Brown said before denying McNamara bail.
The older McNamara was known by neighbors as a friendly man who could regularly be seen sitting outside his Canaryville two-flat greeting neighbors and passersby.
"He was always moving around, always friendly," a neighbor said. "I can't imagine someone would want to hurt him."
