Son Charged With Mom's Murder Claims He Mistook Her For Intruder

ST. CHARLES, IL — Authorities in Kane County say a 21-year-old man who claims he believed he was acting in self-defense in a case of mistaken identity has been charged with second-degree murder in the March 24 death of his mother in their Willowbrook Drive home. Thomas J. Summerwill was taken into custody Monday, after the Kane County State's Attorney's office authorized the criminal charge.

The Campton Hills Police Department investigation into the death of 53-year-old Mary Summerwill was turned over to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office last month. Mary Summerwill died from cranial injuries after being struck several times with a baseball bat, Coroner Rob Russell told the Daily Herald.

Prosecutors said on the morning of March 24, Thomas Summerwill awoke to what he believed was an intruder in his bedroom. "Acting in what he believed was the defense of himself or his property," the 21-year-old grabbed a baseball bat "and struck the person multiple times in the head with the bat, not realizing the person was his mother, Mary Summerwill," the Kane County State's Attorney's Office said in a news release.

Prosecutors allege that Thomas Summerwill's belief that he was acting in self-defense "was not reasonable because of his alcohol impairment."

Mary Summerwill was found dead in the home on March 24. Thomas Summerwill surrendered Monday to Campton Hills police, and appeared Tuesday in Kane County bond court.

Police had never been called to a domestic disturbance at the home, according to the Daily Herald.

• Campton Hills Woman Killed With Baseball Bat: Authorities

Summerwill's bail has been set at $300,000, with a court date scheduled for May 23 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Patch will update this story as new information comes in.