Lake County briefs

Hobbs trial date:A Lake County judge said the death penalty trial of Jerry Hobbs III, accused of murdering his daughter and another girl will begin July 21. Hobbs, 37, is charged with killing Laura Hobbs, 8, and Krystal Tobias, 9, in a Zion park May 9, 2005. Police say Hobbs confessed he stabbed both girls to death when Laura refused to return home with him as he ordered. Defense attorneys claim the confession was coerced and DNA evidence suggests the girls were killed by another person. Hobbs has been held without bond since his arrest three days after the murders.Lugar endorses Dold:Kenilworth business owner Bob Dold, a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 10th Congressional District, claimed another nationally known supporter Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the body's most senior Republican, said Dold's experience with the family business is unique and important for the economy. "The first large pickup in jobs will come through the small business sector," Lugar said. Lugar in a conference call said he has known the Dold family through his association with Denison University, and added he sent Bob Dold an unsolicited campaign contribution when he learned he was running for Congress. Last week, former vice president Dan Quayle said he backed Dold. Dold is facing state Rep. Beth Coulson, economist Dick Green, pediatrician Arie Friedman and electrical engineer Paul Hamann in the Feb. 2 Republican primary.Death penalty challenged: A Lake County judge said Tuesday he will rule Feb. 18 on a challenge to the constitutionality of the death penalty in the case of a murdered Lindenhurst restaurant manager. James Ealy, 45, is charged with the murder of Mary Hutchison at the now-shuttered Burger King in Lindenhurst on Nov. 27, 2006. Assistant Public Defender Keith Grant argued Tuesday that prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Ealy because it is excessive and arbitrary in the Ealy case, and errors were committed in bringing the charges against his client. Assistant State's Attorney Jeff Pavletic responded that Grant's challenges to the statute have been ruled on by other courts that upheld the statute, and the charges against Ealy were brought according to law. Ealy has been held without bond since his arrest two weeks after the murder and no trial date has been set in the case.Marrow registry and blood drive:A marrow registry and blood drive will be held for Millburn West student Danny Gardner on Friday, Jan. 29, from noon to 7 p.m. at the school. The fifth grade student was diagnosed with Leukemia and needs a bone-marrow transplant. The school is located at 640 Freedom Way in Lindenhurst. To schedule an appointment, call (847) 265-7688 or email lmisiek@comcast.net. Walk-ins are also welcome.