Attorneys for the two Deerfield teens arrested in August for invading a Highland Park home told Judge Daniel Shanes today in Lake County Criminal Court in Waukegan they may seek dismissal of the case.
Josh Norris and Joseph Mahoney, both 18, of Deerfield appeared in court today for a pretrial as their lawyers and Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Reginald Mathews told Shanes both an agreed resolution was possible as well as a motion to dismiss.
Earlier: Grand Jury Indicts Deerfield Teens
“I may be filing a motion to dismiss,” Robert Gevirtz, the lawyer for Josh Norris, said. Mahoney’s attorney, Chris Cronson, told Shanes he agreed.
Mathews, Cronson and Gevirtz all anticipate some discussion about the case between them before the next pretrial Jan.31. Gevirtz told Shanes the motion to dismiss would be filed by then. The trial date has been moved to March 4 from Jan. 28.
Cronson expressed the most optimism the case could be concluded without a trial. “There is a substantial probability we will resolve this by then,” he told Shanes referring to the March 4 trial date. Mathews expects discussions with Cronson and Gevirtz but gave a more cautious tone.
“They’re not in a position to discuss an offer,” Mathews said before the hearing. “They want an opportunity to review the evidence and sit down with me to discuss mitigating evidence they may have.”
The judge also made a point of asking Mahoney and Norris if they were complying with the terms of their bail. “I told you before these are very serious charges,” Shanes said to Norris. “It’s very important that you do this,” he added admonishing him to comply with the terms of his bond. Gevirtz assured Shanes Norris was doing well in school.
When it was Mahoney’s turn, Shanes repeated his warning and wanted to know how Mahoney’s counseling and treatment programs were going. “I expect you to comply with the treatment program,” Shanes said.
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