Man pleads not guilty in Lombard hate crime
A 40-year-old Westmont man charged with a hate crime in connection with vandalism at a Lombard synagogue pleaded not guilty Monday.
John White is accused of smashing windows and vandalizing the Etz Chaim Synagogue last month at 1710 South Highland Ave.
He has been charged with a hate crime, criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm without a FOID card, possession of cannabis, institutional vandalism of a place of worship and armed violence.
White's not guilty plea came during an arraignment hearing.
Judge George Bakalis on Monday was expected to consider whether White's $5 million full cash bail should be reduced. But that hearing was postponed to Nov. 18.
Police on Oct. 21 said they found White driving recklessly on the Etz Chaim property. While at the scene, the officers discovered graffiti, written with pencil, of an anti-Semitic nature on the synagogue, according to prosecutors.
Police also discovered seven of the synagogue's windows had been broken. A machete, knife, hatchet and ax were found at the scene.
Prosecutors have argued the high, full-cash bail is needed for White because he has access to a $3.5 million trust fund.