27-Jul-18 – Found guilty of first-degree murder and waiting to be sentenced, a former Chicago condo attorney is asking for a new trial.

Dr. Donnie Rudd was convicted on July 2 of killing his wife, Noreen Rudd, in 1973. A motion for a new trial was filed by his attorney, Timothy Grace.

Arguments for and against this and other post-trial motions will be heard by Circuit Court Judge Marc Martin on September 13 but if Martin is not swayed, Rudd could be sentenced on that date.

Requests for new trials are rarely granted, but the arguments made in the motion can help with an appeal. Grace said again on Thursday that, unless a new trial is granted, he will appeal the case.

Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Maria McCarthy has asked the court for Rudd’s medical records, appearing to have only learned recently, from news accounts, that Rudd claims to be diagnosed with cancer. Grace said he would not object to McCarthy seeing the medical records as long as they were not made public.

The 76-year-old Rudd (left), who entered the courtroom on Thursday morning in a wheelchair, is being treated at Cermak Health Services of Cook County, which provides health care to detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections.

If Rudd is sentenced, it will be under 1973 guidelines, which specify a minimum of 14 years but offer the possibility of parole.

Judge Martin has asked McCarthy and Grace for sentencing memorandums. A status hearing is scheduled for August 16.