Deerfield Man Charged In Wife's Stabbing Death Can't Post Bond

WAUKEGAN, IL — The Deerfield man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his wife last weekend was ordered held with no bail until further notice Thursday. Gary Kamen, 55, had been held in lieu of a $10 million bond following his arrest Friday at a home on Peachtree Lane in Deerfield, where he is accused of killing 53-year-old Karyn Kamen.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Hoffert asked Judge Paul Novak to order Kamen held without bond ahead of his trial in a motion detailing allegations of the brutal nature of his wife's death, according to the Lake County News-Sun. Lake County Public Defender Sharmila Manak did not oppose the state's motion, leaving the judge no choice but to grant it, the Daily Herald reported.

Citing a real threat to the public and his family, Novak's order eliminated the possibility of Kamen's pretrial release in exchange for posting the $1 million cash portion of his bail. However, a bond review hearing could be requested by the defense in the future. Court records show Gary Kamen has not yet retained an attorney and is being represented by the Office of the Lake County Public Defender. He has spent decades working in the financial industry and departed a position as the chief market strategist of a firm he began in August, according to an online resume.

Karyn Kamen was remembered at a packed memorial service Thursday in Arlington Heights. A memorial fund has been established at Congregation B'Nai Tikvah in Deerfield to support the Kamens' two children, who are now students at Deerfield High School. (To donate online, note "Kamen Fund" in the description of tribute field.) She was a substitute teacher in Deerfield Public School District 109 and a regular volunteer at her synagogue. Those who knew her described her as a devoted parent and an energetic educator, Pioneer Press reported.

Police arrived at the Kamen household Friday afternoon to find Karyn critically injured and suffering from 15 stab wounds, according to authorities. She was rushed to Highland Park Hospital and pronounced dead Sunday. The cause and manner of her death remains under investigation but it appears to have been caused by "injuries caused by sharp force trauma," according to Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper.

Gary Kamen now faces two counts of murder, one for intending to kill and one for knowing his actions created a strong possibility of death. If the gruesome details contained in court documents are accurate, he could also be guilty of the third type of first-degree murder – killing someone while committing a violent felony.

In the motion for a no-bail order, prosecutors said Mr. Kamen called the police to report he had just stabbed and killed his wife, the Daily Herald reported. Prosecutors allege Mrs. Kamen was handcuffed and held hostage for several hours while her husband moved her around their home and assaulted her. According to the court filing, he drank alcohol and took sleeping pills before passing out. The Daily Herald reported an object used in the assault, several suicide notes believed to have been authored by Mr. Kamen and the alleged murder weapon were recovered by police. The motion said a broken knife handle was found in the bedroom and a bloody blade in a sink, according to the Lake County News-Sun, and police overheard a conversation between Mr. Kamen and a family member where he said he killed his wife during a "psychotic episode."

Earlier: Deerfield Woman Dies After Stabbing, Husband Charged With Murder »