Murder Trial in Stabbing Death Delayed Again, Until 2013

Family and friends of slain teen Felix Jimenez long for closure—and will end the year without the answer they so desperately desire. 

They will have to wait until at least January for the trial of Derek Grib, the man accused of killing 18-year-old Jimenez in July 2009. Judge Frank Zelezinski ruled—again—Dec. 10 that the trial date will be set at a status hearing scheduled for Jan. 3. 

Prosecutor Rob Holland said in August that he truly believed the trial would take place in October, said Jimenez's mother, Teresa Rivera, months ago. But several status court dates have passed, and the trial is still not scheduled.

Grib is accused of fatally stabbing Jimenez, an Oak Forest High School graduate who had military aspirations, at a party in Oak Forest on July 12, 2009. Jimenez died shortly after midnight the next day.

The trial has been delayed multiple times, due to a backlog of murder trials in the Cook County courts system, Holland said. The Markham District Courthouse is "drowning in murders," dating as far back as 2007 and 2008, he said.

Grib has waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Zelezinski will deliver the final verdict.

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