From the State’s Attorney:
MARK ALEX SENTENCED TO THIRTY-SIX YEARS IN IDOC FOR THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that on July 3, 2025, Mark Alex, 60, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, was sentenced to a combined thirty-six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on two counts of Attempted Murder, eighteen years on each.
The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Judge Mark Gerhardt who presided over a week-long jury trial followed by a sentencing hearing that took place last week.
At trial, prosecutors proved that just twenty minutes prior to arriving at his estranged wife’s home in Crystal Lake for what was to be a child exchange, Alex had stopped at a local Home Depot and purchased a demolition hammer and hatchet.
At some point, after the victim refused his sexual advances, Alex then attacked her first with the hammer, striking her multiple times on and about her head.
The victim testified she then pretended to be dead until he then attempted to pour a margarita mix into her mouth.
Once she arose, another struggle ensued, where Alex then struck her with a hatchet that ended up stuck in her hair.
Alex fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later by officers from
- Crystal Lake,
- Algonquin, and
- the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim suffered multiple lacerations and puncture wounds to her head, face, and body.
She also suffered significant episodes of syncope following the attack which required several days of hospitalization.
During arguments at the sentencing hearing Chief of Staff Ashley Romito asked for the maximum sentence of sixty years, thirty years on each Class X offense of Attempted Murder.
Alex’s attorney asked for the minimum of twelve years.
Truth-in-Sentencing will require that Alex serve 85 percent of his sentence prior to release from custody.
Due to the judge’s finding of severe bodily injury, Alex must serve each of the 18-year sentences consecutively.
Upon release, he will be subject to a Mandatory Supervised Release period of eighteen months.
State’s Attorney Freese commends the victim for her strength and courage in fighting off Alex and her patience throughout the pendency of this case.
A special thank you to Victim Witness Coordinator Kelly Gallagher for her assistance in coordinating the witnesses for trial and for always being there for the victims.
This case was successfully prosecuted at trial by Chief of Staff Ashley Romito and First Assistant Ashur Y. Youash.
