Nov. 20--Michael Romano will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his father and stepmother.
Romano, who a prosecutor said has the "heart of a reptile," was sentenced to natural life plus 50 years in prison Thursday -- nine years to the day after his parents were found shot to death in their home near Crystal Lake.
A jury found Romano, 56, guilty of first-degree murder for the execution-style shootings of his father, Nicholas Romano Sr., 71, and his stepmother, Gloria Romano, 65.
"The defendant's actions in the case were disgusting," McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather said. "It was the execution of his parents prompted by greed. It is unforgivable."
Authorities said Michael Romano, an unemployed, chronic gambler who was more than $100,000 in debt, killed the couple Nov. 19, 2006, because he was seeking his inheritance.
Romano only learned later that his father, with whom the younger Romano had a strained relationship, had taken his son out of his will four years prior to his death.
Michael Romano had maintained he was innocent and had found his parents dead when he went to their home to check on them early in the morning Nov. 20, 2006. Nicholas Romano was dead with two gunshots to the back of the head on the basement stairs. Gloria Romano was on the kitchen floor, shot once in the back of the head.
Michael Romano lived nearby in Algonquin at the time but later relocated to Las Vegas. He was not arrested and charged in the case until early last year.
During his trial, the married woman Romano had dated testified that he showed no emotion and shed no tears when she saw him later Nov. 20 and he told her his parents were dead.
"This man has the heart of a reptile and the conscience of a thief," Assistant State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said. "And yet, like any true sociopath, (he) wears this false mask of victimhood that he has crafted from one lie after the next. The sickest part of this entire affair, aside from the execution of Nick Sr. and Gloria, is that in some twisted way he believes every lie he told."
Michael Romano's brother, Nick Romano Jr., was present in the courtroom but did not speak during the sentencing. He and his wife, Sharon, also declined to comment after the hearing.
In asking that Romano be sentenced to life in prison, Kenneally turned to Nick Romano Jr. and said he is the couple's "true and only son."
Michael Romano declined to give a statement at the hearing.
His defense attorney, Angelo Mourelatos, said Romano has no prior criminal history and that he has "maintained his innocence."
Romano already has been appointed an appellate public defender to begin the appeal process.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
