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Man Pleads Guilty to 2005 Murder of
Estranged Wife in River Forest

An Arlington Heights man charged with bludgeoning his estranged wife with a hammer in a 2005 attack pleaded guilty today and could face the death penalty in connection with the murder, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

James Pender, 57, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the brazen attack of his estranged wife, Therese Pender, who had filed for divorce from the defendant and had a pending order of protection against him when the attack occurred.

According to prosecutors, on March 16, 2005, Pender boarded the same commuter train as his estranged wife and traveled from downtown Chicago to west suburban River Forest.  Pender followed the victim as she exited the train and then grabbed her and struck her numerous times in the head with a hammer, killing her.  Pender was apprehended shortly after the attack after
fleeing the scene with the murder weapon.

Pender could receive the death penalty when he is sentenced and prosecutors will present evidence and argument for the death penalty during a morning hearing tomorrow at the District Four Criminal Courts building in Maywood.  Sentencing will be determined at a later date.