Witness mix-up temporarily delays eagerly anticipated testimony
Some of the most anticipated trial testimony of the week had to be anticipated for longer than expected Tuesday.
Gregory McKnight was scheduled to appear in Circuit Judge Fred Foreman's courtroom to testify against William Pressley in Pressley's trial for the murder of Jesus Gaytan.
McKnight pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case with the understanding that he would have to testify against anyone who went to trial in Gaytan's murder.
Although he was spared a sentence that could have reached 60 years, McKnight was still sentenced to a stiff 19-year term and has been making no secret of his unhappiness with the outcome.
In addition, McKnight and Pressley have been friends since childhood, and no one was quite sure what he was going to say when he took the witness stand.
The afternoon session of the trial started with testimony from a pair of state's witnesses. Then Foreman called a recess to allow time to have McKnight brought up to the courtroom from a prisoner holding area in the basement.
The minutes ticked by and there was an air of excitement in the courtroom when Foreman returned to the bench, signaling that the curtain was about to go up.
But no.
"There are two men in the Lake County Jail named McKnight, and they brought the wrong one," Foreman announced.
"Court will be in recess again while they locate our Mr. McKnight and bring him over."
About 45 minutes later, the McKnight who was supposed to be there took the witness stand, and the wheels of justice began to turn again.
Road trip: Chief Circuit Judge Christopher Starck is in Arkansas for two days this week leading a seminar for his counterparts in that state.
Starck was asked by the National Center for State Courts to teach a course on court administration for presiding judges in Arkansas.
He said the seminar will include discussions of administration, case management and court functions.
It is one of a series of trips he has made on behalf of the national organization.
Citizen police academy: The Mundelein Police Department will hold a Senior Citizen Police Academy starting Sept. 11.
Sessions will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. every Tuesday at the Mundelein Park District Senior Center.
Topics to be explored include criminal investigation, drug enforcement, computerized firearms training and other aspects of police work.
A ride-along with a patrol officer will also be part of the program.
Attendance is restricted to the first 40 applicants. For more information, call (847) 968-4600.