Judge faces 'threats and harassment' after releasing homicide suspect

Winnebago County Chief Judge John Lowry is blaming a Facebook post by Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara for a spate of "threats and harassment."

They come after McNamara posted comments critical of Associate Judge Heidi E. Ruckman-Agustsson's decision to grant pretrial release to a suspect charged with first-degree murder. The release came over the objections of the Winnebago County State's Attorney's office which has filed a motion asking the courts to reconsider.