Court Watch: Attorneys Discuss Deal for Oak Lawn Man Accused of Beating Girl

The Southland's major criminal and civil cases heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.

Cook County

OAK LAWN — Ed Barron, an attorney defending a 54-year-old man accused of beating and choking a girl, said he will continue negotiating with the state about a possible plea deal before the next pretrial hearing on March 13.

Michael T. Kelly, a former Village of Oak Lawn employee, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery.

To give the girl and her family a little “peace of mind,” assistant state’s attorney Kelly Coakley obtained a protection order against Kelly on Tuesday because, she said, the defendant had been caught staring intently at the girl in October. Barron did not challenge the motion or the ruling.

Court records show Bridgeview police charged Kelly with aggravated assault in 2003, but the case was later dropped.

OAK LAWN — 

Scheduling conflicts at the courthouse give attorneys more time to prepare for case stemming from an incident in July 2010.

ORLAND PARK —

A year and half later, investigations continue into the death of Allan Kustok's wife, Jeanie.

WORTH —

Pretrial hearings begin March 13 for Hui Zheng of Worth.

Will County

TINLEY PARK — Pretrial hearings were continued to March 7 against Nicholas Gorny of Orland Park, who has pleaded not guilty to his involvement in an accident in August that killed a 70-year-old Tinley Park woman. She died of injuries related to the accident on Sept. 27, 2011 — but has been included on a growing list of possible witnesses to be called to testify, including area doctors, police officers and firefighters.

On the Docket Next Week

TUESDAY

Norberto Rodriguez, a former Chicago cop accused of murdering his estranged wife in Oak Forest.

WEDNESDAY

Owners of Orland Square Mall contend they overpaid their fair share of taxes between 2005 and 2009; the move could force several area taxing bodies, including High School District 230, to refund a combined $9.5 million.

THURSDAY

Nicholas Sord, of Orland Park, charged with reckless homicide in the death Jessica Mejia of New Lenox.

FRIDAY

Brandon Bergthold, of Frankfort Township, accused of trying to buy sex with a fictitious 6-year-old girl through Craigslist.

Michael Angel, accused again of criminal trespass on L-W High School District 210 grounds

In civil court, the owners of Big Run Golf Course in Lockport, including former Will County Board President Joseph Mikan, are accused of misusing company money by the relative of a former founder and investor.

Curious about other crime news from this week?