Judge sticks to murder trial date
A man representing himself against first-degree murder charges in the death of a Buffalo Grove High School student says he needs more time to prepare his defense.
In a heated exchange of words with Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta Jr., Ralph Lewis, 33, objected to the March 4 trial date set Tuesday.
The judge denied Lewis' request for more time to prepare his self-defense and at least once Tuesday had Lewis removed from the courtroom.
Lewis, of Springfield, is accused of slamming a stolen truck into a car carrying three Buffalo Grove High friends on July 23, 2006, killing one teen and injuring two others.
Lewis' request to act as his own counsel was granted in June after repeated pleas. He's been using the Cook County jail library to build his case.
Corey Diamond, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout from Arlington Heights, died in the collision, which took place at in Wheeling at Dundee and Schoenbeck roads. His friend Elliott Cellini, now 17, was initially in a coma. Backseat passenger Brandon Forshall had minor injuries.
Authorities said Lewis rented a U-Haul using a fake ID the day before the crash. The next day, he tried to make a $2,800 purchase with someone else's credit card at a Gurnee Home Depot and fled when a clerk became suspicious, authorities said.
Lewis then led police on a high-speed chase through several suburbs down I-94 and then Lake-Cook Road before crashing in Wheeling, authorities said.
Attorneys representing the three families have filed suit against Lewis, several police departments involved in the chase and the village of Wheeling, claiming a faulty traffic light.
Lewis will sit down in the upcoming weeks with assistant state's attorneys, who will disclose documents and evidence relevant to the case they'll present in court.
Because of the unique circumstances, the trial could be again pushed back to a later date.
Lewis faces myriad charges, including aggravated battery, aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful restraint and aggravated fleeing a police officer.
He's being held on $1.5 million bond.