Son Convicted of Murder for Throwing Elderly Mom Down Stairs Will Get New Trial

Photo credit: Illinois Department of Corrections

Wayne Weinke Jr., 57, was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2013 in the 2006 death of his mother, Gloria Weinke, 77, according to the Daily Herald. Prosecutors said Wayne Weinke threw his mother over a railing at The Moorings in Arlington Heights after a disagreement over his inheritance, according to the article.

Gloria died a few months after the fall. Wayne was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder conviction.

But, the 1st District Appellate Court ruled this past week that the court's original decision to allow a videotaped testimony from Gloria Weinke was made "under the belief that Gloria Weinke was in grave condition and might die," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The ruling also states prosecutors mislead the court regarding Gloria Weinke's condition and also called into question how two Cook County judges handled the testimony.

Wayne Weinke has said he was not there when his mom fell down the flight of stairs. His attorney, Jed Stone, told the Chicago Sun-Times Gloria Weinke died of cancer and was suffering from dementia when she fell down the stairs.

MORE ON PATCH

• Video Provides Deceased Mother's Testimony in Murder Trial
• Wayne Weinke Convicted in Mother's Death
• Testimony: Gloria Weinke Died of Cancer, Not Fall