Oct. 29--A McHenry County judge Wednesday denied Michael Romano's motion for a new trial making way for his sentencing set for Nov. 19 -- exactly nine years to the day authorities said he murdered his parents.
Romano, 56, formerly of Algonquin, was found guilty Oct. 1 of first-degree murder for the execution-style shootings of his father, Nick Romano Sr., 71, and his stepmother, Gloria, 65.
The couple were found slain in their home nestled in the peaceful Killarney Acres neighborhood near Crystal Lake on Nov. 20, 2006. Nick Romano Sr. was shot in the back of the head two times, and Gloria was shot once.
Authorities said Romano, an unemployed gambler who was more than $100,000 in debt, went to the home the day before and murdered the couple in the hopes of gaining inheritance money.
Romano went back to the home about 3 a.m. and called 911, reporting that he had found his parents dead. He said he went to the home because he was concerned his parents did not return his phone calls from earlier.
Romano cooperated with authorities in the days after the murders, but he eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he was arrested in 2012.
Romano maintains his innocence. He faces 120 years in prison.
Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
