Teen Charged In Murder-For-Hire Hammer Attack Pleads Not Guilty

GLEN ELLYN, IL — A teen accused of using a hammer to attack a couple in unincorporated Glen Ellyn pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery Monday. Michael Targo, 18, of Glendale Heights was charged in February after he allegedly hid in the couple's home and then beat them with a hammer at their son's urging.

The couple's son, Joshua Miceli, 23, allegedly persuaded Targo to commit the attack by telling him his parents were "mentally abusive," the Chicago Tribune reports.

Miceli has been charged with two counts of solicitation of murder for hire and attempted murder in connection with the incident.

Targo allegedly entered the couple's home on the night of Feb. 18 and hid behind a couch until he attacked Miceli's mother and then his father with a hammer. When police arrived at the scene, they say the found the Miceli's with "serious injuries," according to a report from the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.

Police say Targo fled to a nearby business and was later arrested. Miceli allegedly told police that he had agreed to pay Targo once his parents were murdered.

Targo and Miceli are each being held in DuPage County Jail on $300,000 bond.

>>>Images via DuPage County Sheriff's Office

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