Suspect in Sheridan killings held on $5 million bond; tells police he went to his in-laws looking for ex-wife

A Sandwich man was ordered held Thursday on $5 million bond for allegedly shooting his former in-laws to death in their rural Sheridan home. Prosecutors allege he tried to kill his ex-wife, too.

Donald A. Fredres, 37, was formally charged Thursday with first-degree murder for the Tuesday shooting deaths of Gregory S. Barnes Sr. and Brenda J. Barnes, both 62. Illinois abolished the death penalty in 2011, but multiple murders remain punishable by sentences of life without parole.

Fredres also is charged with attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm for allegedly shooting into his ex-wife’s front door. She wasn’t struck with a bullet but was treated and released for injuries sustained by flying debris.

Fredres appeared Thursday morning before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. with his wrists and ankles manacled and after other prisoners were brought up, a common security arrangement for violent offenders. He did not speak except to confirm to Ryan he will try to hire a private defense attorney.

He stood with his head bowed as Greg Sticka, chief deputy assistant La Salle County state’s attorney, read aloud the probable cause for Fredres’ arrest and detention.

Fredres provided a videotaped statement to police in which he admitted traveling to the rural Sheridan home of his former in-laws, where he asked where to find Johnson, from whom he was divorced and recently under a no-contact order.

Gregory and Brenda Barnes refused to disclose their daughter’s whereabouts, Sticka said, which prompted Fredres to kill them both. Gunshot wounds were found in the head and neck and area.

Fredres subsequently learned where Johnson had moved, then went to her residence and banged on her door. Fredres admitted in the taped statement he fired into the door.

In the police statement, Sticka said in open court, Fredres directed police to the gun, which was retrieved.

Though the shootings happened Tuesday, the ensuing search for Fredres extended into Wednesday morning. He was apprehended without incident at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday in a field north of Sheridan Correctional Center, but not before residents were ordered to stay home and secure their doors. The local school district canceled classes while he was at large.

Fredres will next appear Friday, April 9, for appearance with counsel and possible arraignment. Ryan is likely to then set trial dates, but the odds are against Fredres standing trial at his first setting. The vast majority of murder cases take months or even years getting to a jury because of pre-trial hearings over fitness and the admissibility of evidence.

Fredres is the first suspect charged with a double murder in La Salle County since 2007, when Keith Mackowiak bludgeoned an elderly Seneca couple inside their home. Mackowiak is serving life without parole.