Crime & Safety
Court Watch: Trial Reset for Two Men Accused of Hate Crime and Robbery
Also, Kustok pretrial investigations move from prosecutors to defense attorneys. Judge extends protection order filed against the vice president of the New Lenox District 122 Board of Education.
The Southland's major criminal and civil cases heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.
Cook County
OAK LAWN —
Police said a man connected to Saturday's robbery of the Bank of America branch in Oak Lawn has been charged with one count of robbery. Bank employees say they heard what sounded like the robber talking to another person outside the bank on a cell phone.
Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
ORLAND PARK — Dennis Dodson’s ruddy hair and beard and neon-yellow jumpsuit provided the only color Tuesday in an otherwise quick and routine court appearance. with the daylight kidnap and molestation of an 83-year-old woman behind the Orland Park Home Depot. He remained in jail on a $1.5 million bond. Subpoenaed copies of medical records have arrived at the courthouse and would be distributed to attorneys, Judge John Hynes said. Dodson, his attorney and a special prosecutor return on July 19 for more discussion on pretrial investigations.
ORLAND PARK —
Find out what's happening in Orland Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This September marks the two-year anniversary of the shooting death of an Orland Park mother and teacher. Her husband, Allan Kustok, has remained in custody ever since.
PALOS —
Mohammed Shaban and Akram Alshoweat have been accused of yelling anti-gay slurs while beating a woman in Hickory Hills. The defense says it can prove she was the aggressor of the fight.
PALOS/ORLAND PARK — A judge could set a new trial date for Kevin Skaritka as soon as June 22. He is accused of between 2009 and 2011. A jury trial was set to begin in April until the state asked for more time to subpoena Skaritka cell phone records. The defense intends to use testimony and clock cards to show that Skaritka was at work when at least one of the alleged assaults took place.
TINLEY PARK — Pretrial hearings were continued to July 12 for a Mokena man accused of slapping, punching, choking and wrestling a restaurant owner over the dinner bill. The 55-year-old owner of Outriggers Fish House suffered eight broken ribs and a collapsed lung, according to police. Donovan Campbell has since been indicted on three counts of aggravated battery. On Monday, prosecutors gave the defense a “large packet” of evidence which included a DVD.
Will County
NEW LENOX —
Judge found little credible testimony in stalking allegations brought against Sue Gillooley, but extended an order of protection partly to keep the two women separated.
On the Docket Next Week
MONDAY
Oak Lawn woman charged with possession of child porn and grooming
Frankfort woman accused of stealing money from a homeowner’s association
TUESDAY
Four young men accused of murder and robbery in Palos
Five Indiana men charged with mob action in connect with a beating at the Ashford House restaurant in Tinley Park
An Evergreen Park man charged with indecent solicitation of a child and more
WEDNESDAY
Sentencing of two Chicago men who pleaded guilty to robbing a dead man’s home
A former Chicago cop accused of murdering his estranged wife
THURSDAY
A former Village of Oak Forest attorney accused of kidnapping and molesting a woman
Will County Judge to rule whether murder defendant Rodney Julun was psychologically coerced into confession
One of two men accused of residential burglary in Frankfort
FRIDAY
A former L-W High School D210 employee accused trespassing on school grounds
Looking for more crime news from this week?