MARSEILLES, Ill. — A Marseilles man accused of stabbing a victim 13 times during a March 17, 2026 domestic incident remains held in the La Salle County Jail, more than six months after he was charged with attempted murder. Brian G. Reinhart, born in 1976, was charged March 19, 2026, with attempted first-degree murder, a Class X felony, and aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. He has pleaded not guilty and has been held without pretrial release since his first court appearance.
By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink | First published September 30, 2026
Case Status
Current status: Open. Reinhart has been arraigned and pleaded not guilty. His original trial date was struck, and the case is now on status hearings. A defense petition for pretrial release was denied June 15, and a notice of appeal from the detention order was filed June 24.
Next court date: Status hearing November 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., Room 210, before Judge Michelle A. Vescogni.
Charges:
- Count 1: Attempted first-degree murder (intent to kill/injure), Class X felony, 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1)
- Count 2: Aggravated domestic battery, Class 2 felony, 720 ILCS 5/12-3.3(a)
Custody status: Held at La Salle County Jail. Pretrial release was denied by a detention order entered April 10, 2026.
Case number: 2026CF000104
Court: La Salle County Circuit Court, Criminal & Juvenile Division
Prosecution: Assistant State’s Attorney Matt Kidder, La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office
Defense: Attorney Chuck Bretz (Public Defender Ryan Hamer represented Reinhart at his March 19 first appearance)
Presiding judge: Michelle A. Vescogni (Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. presided over several hearings, including the April 10 detention hearing)
Last updated: September 30, 2026
Incident Summary
According to court records, the charges stem from an incident on March 17, 2026. The Marseilles Police Department is listed as an agency on the case.
During a court hearing attended by Moss and Ink, it was stated in the courtroom that the victim suffered 13 stab wounds and required two surgeries. The defense also raised a claim in the courtroom that the incident was related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These statements were heard in open court and do not appear in the written docket. None of them have been proven in court.
Moss and Ink is not naming the victim.
Suspect Background
Brian G. Reinhart
- Born: 1976
- City: Marseilles, Illinois
- Custody: La Salle County Jail, held without pretrial release
Case Timeline & Proceedings
March 17, 2026: Incident. The date of offense listed on both charges.
March 19, 2026: Charges filed and first appearance. The State charges Reinhart with attempted murder and aggravated domestic battery, with no bond set on either count. The State also files a verified petition to deny pretrial release. At his first appearance before Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr., Reinhart is represented by Public Defender Ryan Hamer for detention purposes and says he is looking for a private attorney. He remains detained on his own motion, and the case is continued to March 26.
March 26, 2026: Arraignment. Attorney Chuck Bretz appears for Reinhart before Judge Vescogni. Reinhart voluntarily stays detained, and the detention hearing is set for April 10. Bretz waives a probable cause hearing, and Reinhart pleads not guilty. A final pretrial is set for May 15 and a jury trial for June 8.
April 9, 2026: Defense motion. The defense files a motion for review of pretrial release conditions under the SAFE-T Act.
April 10, 2026: Detention hearing. Kidder argues the State’s petition to deny release, and Bretz argues against it. Judge Ryan finds clear and convincing evidence, grants the State’s petition, and orders that Reinhart remain detained. A formal detention order denying pretrial release is entered the same day.
April 16, 2026: Discovery. The State furnishes discovery to the defense under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 412.
April 27, 2026: Petition for relief. The defense files a petition for relief from the detention order under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h).
May 15, 2026: Final pretrial. Bretz tells the court he will file a motion for relief. By agreement, the case is continued to May 29.
May 29, 2026: Petition for relief hearing. Judge Vescogni hears arguments on the defense petition and takes the matter under advisement for a written ruling. On Bretz’s oral motion, the June 8 jury trial date is struck without objection. The case is continued to July 31 for status.
June 2026: Subpoenas. Several trial subpoenas are returned served in late May and early June. Others, including several addressed in care of a guardian, are returned not served.
June 15, 2026: Ruling on petition for relief. An order is entered on the defense’s Rule 604(h) petition. The petition for pretrial release is denied, and Reinhart remains detained.
June 24, 2026: Appeal filed. A notice of appeal from the pretrial detention order is filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 604(h). Transcripts of the April 10 and May 29 hearings are filed in July.
July 31, 2026: Status. By agreement, the case is continued to September 18 for further status. Judge Ryan notes that the facts and circumstances have not changed and that Reinhart will remain detained.
September 14, 2026: Continuance. The September 18 status hearing is canceled and reset to September 24.
September 24, 2026: Status. By agreement, the case is continued to November 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. for status.
How to Follow This Case
- Case number: 2026CF000104, searchable through the La Salle County Circuit Clerk’s online docket or public access terminal
- Next scheduled: Status hearing, November 13, 2026, 9:00 a.m., Room 210, Judge Michelle A. Vescogni
Source Notes
This report is based on La Salle County Circuit Clerk online docket records for case 2026CF000104, reviewed September 30, 2026. Details about the victim’s injuries and the PTSD claim were heard in the courtroom by Moss and Ink and are not part of the written docket record. This report will be updated as the case proceeds through court.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
—Willow Moss