Crime & Safety
Man Charged with Reckless Homicide in DUI Crash Rejects Deal: Court Watch
Also, five Indiana men charged in a racially-charged attack at Ashford House restaurant are considering a plea agreement.
Nicholas Sord, 24, opted this week to reject a plea agreement offered in August, the details of which have not been made public, in the reckless homicide case against him for a DUI-related crash that killed a 20-year-old New Lenox woman.
Police say Jessica Mejia died on New Year's Eve in 2009 after Sord lost control of the SUV they were riding in. Authorities also said Sord's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.
Sord's defense is that Mejia caused the accident, according to his attorney, and counsel from both sides will argue motions in January about whether other details besides Sord's drinking are revelant to the case.
Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Patch rounds up the Southland's major criminal and civil cases being heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.
COOK COUNTY
EVERGREEN PARK —Travel Request Denied for Woman Charged With Leaving Disabled Men in Hot Car
Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pre-trial investigations have concluded in the case against a 47-year-old Elgin woman who is accused of leaving four disabled men in a hot van in a Walmart parking lot last summer. A Cook County judge also denied Kathy Reed's request to travel out of state to be with her family for the Thanksgiving holiday.
She is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 29.
HOMEWOOD — Arraignment Set for 71-Year-Old Homewood Man Accused of Child Sex Abuse
The arraigment of a 71-year-old Homewood man who has been accused of sexually assaulting a child over a two-year period has been set for next month. He is set to appear in court on Nov. 7.
TINLEY PARK — Lawyers: Ashford House Five in Talks for a Plea Deal
The five Indiana men being tried for their involvement in the Ashford House attack case, could take a plea deal, attorneys said.
John Tucker, 26; Cody Sutherlin, 23; Dylan Sutherlin, 20; Alex Stuck, 22; and Jason Sutherlin, 33, were arrested in May and are charged with mob action, armed violence, aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.
A motion to suppress the arrest of the men is pending the outcome of the conference. The five defendants are scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 16.
ORLAND PARK — Attorney Wants Arrest Thrown Out in Sex Abuse Case
The defense attorney for Robert Phelan, Oak Lawn man accused of sexually assaulting a 93-year-old dementia patient, said he will argue motions to suppress the man's arrest.
Phelan, 57, is accused of sexually assaulting the 93-year-old dementia patient while she was being treated at an Orland Park care facility on July 24, 2011, where he was working as a nurse, according to prosecutors.
He is scheduled to be back in court on Dec. 18 where both sides will argue the issue.
On the Docket for Next Week
MONDAY
- Owner of Dazzle's Painted Pastures Animal Rescue and Sanctuary will appeal sentence
- Orland Park man
TUESDAY
- Florida man nabbed on unlawful possession of weapons charges in Ashford House Restaurant melee
THURSDAY
- Orland Park man charged in fatal DUI
- Oak Lawn man accused of soliciting teen girl for sex
FRIDAY
- Mokena man accused of assaulting a Tinley Park restaurant manager
