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| Reo Jonta Thompson, 17, and Gregory Brooks Jr., 18, havd been charged in connection with the murder of CLTV talk show host Garrard McClendon's parents in Hammond, Ind. Cook County Sheriff's Office |
Posted: Sunday, 01 November 2009 12:14PM
Mayor irritates judge, talks of murder case
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HAMMOND, Ind. (STNG) -- Hammond, Ind. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., was on the radio Thursday and Friday commenting on the case of two Hammond teens charged with felony murder after a representative of the Lake County Prosecutor's Office informed him of a gag order in the case.
The subject came up at a formal appearance for Gregory Brooks Jr., 18, and Reo Jon'Ta Thompson, 17, who have pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder in perpetration of a burglary, two counts of murder in perpetration of a robbery and nine other felony charges, including confinement and auto theft.
The charges were filed in the deaths of Milton and Ruby McClendon, whose bodies were found Oct. 19 in Calumet City, Ill., in Cook County Forest Preserve.
Chief Public Defender David Schneider informed Lake Superior Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan that McDermott was on the radio Thursday afternoon and Friday morning discussing the case.
Lake Superior Court Judge Clarence Murray issued the gag order barring "parties, counsel, law enforcement officials and court personnel" from publicly discussing the case.
Schneider said McDermott was on WBBM radio, where he made a statement that he understood there is a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois, but not in Indiana. Friday morning, about 30 minutes before the teens were in court for their formal appearance, Schneider said McDermott was on WJOB radio wondering aloud whether the gag order applied to him as mayor. McDermott is a lawyer.
Trial Supervisor Mary Ryan said the order was faxed to McDermott's office.
A clearly irritated Sullivan said the order issued Wednesday was to ensure that the jury pool would not be tainted by comments made about the crimes or investigation that aren't contained in public records.
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said he personally would call McDermott and speak to him about the order.
Meanwhile, Brooks' attorney, Lemuel Stigler, asked that a jury trial date be scheduled. Sullivan set the trial for April 19.
McDermott could not be reached for comment.
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