19-Sep-16 – Nine months after being arrested for murder, Dr. Donnie Rudd is no longer in custody as he waits for his trial, which could still be years away.

Rudd was able to pay a bond, set on December 24, 2015, at $4 million, and was released last Thursday. According to a Cook County Circuit Court spokesperson, $400,000 was paid to post bond, which would be typical if a bail bondsman was used.

Rudd is still in the Chicago area and is being treated for health issues including cancer. A hearing is scheduled for November 10 at Cook County Circuit Court in Rolling Meadows.

He is accused in the 1973 murder of his wife, Noreen Rudd. Arrested on December 17, 2015, Rudd was initially unable to post bond and his attorney, Timothy Grace, argued in January that house arrest was a better option.

The 73-year-old has attended some of his hearings in a wheelchair but according to Grace, Rudd’s health did stabilize.

In setting the $4 million bond, Judge Joseph Cataldo said Rudd must turn in his passport, any weapons in his possession must be given to the Arlington Heights Police Department, and he is to have no contact with any witnesses in the case.

The minimum sentence, if found guilty, is 14 years in prison. Though not charged, he is also a suspect in a 1991 murder.

In 1983, Rudd co-wrote amendments to the Illinois Condominium Property Act. At one time, Rudd had a law firm in Schaumburg with, he has said, more than 2,000 clients, mostly homeowner associations, but in 1994 he voluntarily changed the status of his Illinois law license to inactive after four complaints were filed against him with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.