Judge Cosby denied the bail reduction for Richard McDonald yesterday in Henry County Circuit Court. Richard McDonald testified in his Bond Review hearing on November 7, 2022, where he answered questions about his mother and his criminal history. Mr. McDonald is a former employee of Great Dane accused of making threats against current Great Dane employees. In the factual basis for charges against McDonald, Richard McDonald sent messages using a Facebook account registered in his name to Great Dane, including “I will Kill employees” and “They did this to me and I want payback” and he told Great Dane they shouldn’t mess with someone’s job that has mental health issues. McDonald did not disclose his social media account to the Kewanee Police Department which is a violation of the Sexual Offender Act. McDonald said he would live with his mother on West McClure Street in Kewanee should he be released because he is his mother’s caretaker. He has lived in Kewanee his whole life. He testified that his mother has Cancer and Dementia and he is the only caretaker. He said he would get himself to all his court dates even though his license is revoked in Illinois.
Mr. McDonald has a criminal history dating back to 1986 between Rock Island and Henry Counties, including multiple sentences to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Richard McDonald was remanded back to Henry County Custody and bond remains at $150,000 (10%). McDonald is due back in court on November 17, 2022, at 11 AM.
