Prosecutors seek statement of terminally ill mother of alleged killer

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Updated: September 29, 2011 12:32AM

Steven Cole called his cancer-stricken, 65-year-old mother at a suburban nursing home and allegedly told her he had just killed her husband — his own father.

In an unusual step, Cook County prosecutors want to preserve that June 13 call as evidence by immediately taking a videotaped, sworn statement from Barbara Cole detailing the phone conversation she had with her son.

Barbara Cole has terminal lung cancer and may not survive long enough to testify when her son stands trial in the stabbing and beating death of his father, Stuart Cole, 69, prosecutors said Thursday.

“Given the very tenuous state of Barbara Cole’s health, we need to move very quickly,” Assistant State’s Attorney Maria McCarthy said as she sought court permission to take the videotaped statement.

Judge Kay Hanlon could rule on the request as soon as today after a hearing at which Barbara Cole’s doctor is scheduled to testify.

Steven Cole, 41, has a long history of mental problems, including being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility last year, authorities have said.

He’s accused of attacking and killing his father on June 13 as the older man relaxed on a couch in his Arlington Heights home.

Cole, who had been living with his parents since January, called 911 within minutes of the killing and confessed, authorities have said.

He also called his mother at the nursing home where she is recovering from surgery and dialed his sister to tell them about the slaying, authorities said.

Cole’s attorney objected to prosecutors’ request to take a videotaped statement, saying she needs more time to study the issue.

“It’s an extraordinary remedy,” Assistant Public Defender Helen Tsimouris said.