Wheaton Man Who Faced Sentence Until 2069 May Get Out Early

WHEATON, IL — When Joseph McHale was charged with a 2014 attack and sex assault, he pleaded insanity. Shortly thereafter, the now 31-year-old Wheaton man was sent to be held at Elgin Mental Health Centeruntil as long as 2069. Now, McHale may get out much earlier than expected, after his lawyers have filed for conditional release, Daily Herald reports.

In a recent hearing, McHale's doctor at Elgin Mental Health Center said McHale had reached his treatment goals and that the next step would be to reintegrate into society.

McHale was arrested in 2014 after a 23-year-old female reported that he attacked and sexually assaulted her after forcing his way into her Glen Ellyn apartment. He ultimately received a "not guilty verdict" on grounds of insanity.

According to Daily Herald, McHale has since claimed that his medicine was ineffective at the time of the assault and that he has since been placed on new meds. If released, McHale will likely be transferred to a transitional living space instead of returning to his parents' home in Wheaton.

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