Panel Clears Judge in Connolly Case

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By WEEK Producer

Story Published: Jun 17, 2009 at 10:52 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 17, 2009 at 10:52 PM CDT

A panel of doctors says nothing in Michael Connolly's medical history should have tipped a judge or others to the possibility that he'd kill his sons and then himself.

That opinion released Wednesday was at the heart of a 28–page opinion by a Physician's Review Panel.

Authorities say Michael Connolly of Bloomington killed 9-year-old Duncan Leichtenberg and 7–year–old Jack Leichtenberg in March of this year before killing himself.
Illinois law calls for such a panel when someone requests a review of medical and other records related to an event such as the boys' deaths.
The report says McLean County Judge James Souk had no reason to deny Connolly unsupervised custody visits.
Connolly had a history of depression.
The boys' mother, Amy Leichtenberg of Leroy, says Souk shouldn't have allowed such visits.
She's continued to ask for a Judicial Inquiry Board investigation into Judge Souk's ruling that Connolly could have unsupervised visits with his sons.

Thursday, Oct 15 at 12:23 PM momsanddads wrote ...

I have seen Judge Souk and he does try to always reach a conclusion and weigh all material and evidence accurately. I believe he is a credit to the judicial system of Bloomington, IL and deserves much more credit than he is given!

Wednesday, Aug 12 at 2:52 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Just had judge souck. watched him remove the kids of a loving involved father to go out of state to live with a man their mother married for no reason at all. this father was wonderful to his kids and involved in every aspect of these 4 childrens lives. he ruled based on the fact that the mother was remarried and they would have a father figure. ugh!!! poor kids. none of them wanted to move and even the G.A.L. stated to him that the kids best intrests are here.

Friday, Jun 26 at 7:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...

With no remorse James Souk has ruined or ended the lives of several people without consequence. May he get what he deserves some day.

Thursday, Jun 18 at 10:34 AM Someone wrote ...

There are millions of people that suffer from depression that have children...Do you think they should have there children taken away just because they have a disease?

Thursday, Jun 18 at 10:32 AM Typical wrote ...

Many have pointed out that our society doesn't take mental health issues seriously. This just reinforces that in my mind. I'd like to know how a history of depression combined with repeated verbal threats and a laundry list of order of protection violations somehow constitute the absence of a threat of physical violence. As for Souk, he may have done what he could with the information he had, but he gets no sympathy from me after what he did to Alan Beaman as a prosecutor.

Thursday, Jun 18 at 8:30 AM mommamia wrote ...

This is absurd! There were numerous complaints against this man and suicidal threats! There is no way those boys should have been allowed to be in his presence! I agree - that judge should be thrown off the bench!

Thursday, Jun 18 at 8:30 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The judge did his job, and did the best with what he had. I feel sorry for him as well... the man has to live with this, and you people are trying to destroy him because there is no one left. Why dont you focus you energy on remembering these beautiful children, or a way to improve our amber alert system?

Thursday, Jun 18 at 7:16 AM Stacey wrote ...

All of the threats he had made to the boy's mother wasn't enough for the judge to say no to unsupervised visits? Amy, you are still in my thoughts and prayers. This was such a sad situation.

Thursday, Jun 18 at 6:34 AM ANONYMOUS wrote ...

THIS JUDGE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE BENCH!!!!!!

Wednesday, Jun 17 at 11:52 PM anonymous wrote ...

the man had a history of depression, that should have been a reason right there.

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