Murdered Brothers' Mom Wants Judge Investigated

The mother of two central Illinois boys found dead with their father asked the state Wednesday to investigate the conduct of a judge who allowed the father unsupervised visits with the children.

Amy Leichtenberg of LeRoy asked the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board to investigate McLean County Circuit Judge James Souk. The board investigates complaints about judges.

Souk last year allowed 40-year-old Michael Connolly of Bloomington to start keeping his sons, 9-year-old Duncan and 7-year-old Jack, without supervision. Leichtenberg objected, arguing that her former husband had a history of mental illness.

The boys were found dead in their father's car on March 29 in Putnam County. His body was nearby with a rope around his neck.

"Something went wrong somewhere, and whether it be the (alleged) negligence of the judge or a law that he was upholding," said Brandi Tuley, a friend of Leichtenberg who accompanied her to deliver a copy of the complaint to the Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday. They also mailed copies to lawmakers and sent them to other courts, Tuley said.

A call to Souk by The Associated Press was referred to 11th Circuit Chief Judge Elizabeth Robb. A spokesman for her declined comment.

The Supreme Court does not have a direct role in investigating or disciplining judges. The review board considers complaints and, if it believes it is warranted, sends them along to the Illinois Courts Commission which decides whether to discipline judges, said Supreme Court spokesman Joe Tybor.

The board does not discuss active complaints, a spokesman said.

The brothers disappeared March 8 after their father failed to return them to their mother in LeRoy, which is about 15 miles southeast of Bloomington, from a custody visit.

Putnam County Coroner Robert Cofoid said Wednesday that he is waiting for toxicology tests to determine just how the boys died. But he has said Jack Leichtenberg was stabbed in the back and prescription drug bottles were found at the scene.