Court Watch: Attorneys 'Kick Around' Plea Deal for Murder Defendant
In Other Courthouse News: A 72-year-old Mokena man was accused of sexually abusing three young relatives. Trial postponed again for animal rescue owner.
The Southland's major criminal and civil cases heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.
Cook County
TINLEY PARK — Animal Cruelty Trial Postponed Without Presiding Judge
Dawn Hamill was charged with several dozen counts of animal cruelty and neglect of owner's duties following a raid on her Tinley Park business in February 2011. Her attorney will try again to get the charges tossed out.
Will County
NEW LENOX — Attorneys said they have begun “kicking around” a possible plea deal for the man accused of murdering Dwight Jones but have not reached a formal offer. Prosecutors allege that after Rodney Julun bludgeoned Jones inside his New Lenox Township home, in June 2011, he and two other men proceeded to rob Jones’ house over the course of several days. Those other men have pleaded guilty to residential burglary and are scheduled for sentencing on April 13. Meanwhile, pretrial hearings for Julun continue on April 26. He has asked for an immediate trial, saying, against the advice of his public defender, "I know I can prove my innocence."
MOKENA — Boy Taken to Hospital After Alleged Belt Beating
Charges filed against Mokena woman after a boy came to school with bruises and welts to his face and back.
Also — Mokena Man Charged With Sexual Abuse of Children
John L. Tarrant, 72, of Mokena, was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual assault. He awaited a bond hearing Wednesday.
Also — Pretrial hearings were continued for an Aurora man accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl in a Mokena park late last year. Steven Sly, 22, who pleaded not guilty to three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, is due back in court on May 14.
On the Docket Next Week
MONDAY
A bench trial is—again—slated to resume for Dawn Hamill, the owner of Dazzle’s Painted Pastures
Marcus Jones is up for arraignment for the alleged killing of a man in 2001
William Jenkins and Ira Cunningham, accused of residential burglary
TUESDAY
Brian Trainauskas, accused of murdering a woman, concealing her body and, while in jail, plotting to have a prosecutor killed
WEDNESDAY
James Shaver, charged with possession of child pornography
Justin Jachimiec, the alleged “Orland Ghost Rider,” who posted videos of himself fleeing and mocking police from an itinerant motorcycle on YouTube
FRIDAY
Michael Kroll, charged with aggravated battery and aggravated vehicular hijacking
Nicholas Sord, charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI leading to a death
David Reed and John White are up for sentencing after pleading guilty to residential burglary
Looking for more crime news from this week?
Tattooed Man Robs Oak Forest Bank
Man Berates Priest During Morning Mass, School Re-Evaluates Safety Precautions
Candlelight Vigil Planned for Michele Peters Who Died of Gunshot Wound
Police Nab Suspected Heroin Dealer After Months-Long Investigation
Accused Drunken Driver Compared Himself to Trayvon Martin, Police Say
Wanted for Child Support Delinquency, April 6
Burglar Nabs More Than $23,000 in Belongings During Break-in
