Defense lawyer wants separate trials for Lake Villa murder suspects
The lawyer for one of two young men accused of killing a 58-year-old man in a Lake Villa alley this summer wants her client to receive a trial separate from his co-defendant.
Buddy W. Johnson, 20, and co-defendant Jordan L. Toney, 19, both of Lake Villa Township, are scheduled to go to trial together March 11 on seven counts of first-degree murder apiece stemming from the July 21 slaying of Jerry Griffith.
But Johnson attorney Sharmila Manak said she plans to file a court motion asking to split the defendants, giving them each their own trial. She would not say Wednesday why she wants the defendants separated.
Toney is due to appear in court Dec. 4 in front of Judge James Booras. Johnson is scheduled to appear before the same judge Jan. 17. Each is being held in the Lake County jail on $5 million bail.
Authorities say Johnson and Toney spotted Griffith walking through an alley just south of Grand Avenue in Lake Villa after he made a purchase at a local store about 10:30 p.m. July 21.
The pair robbed and assaulted Griffith, authorities allege. When Griffith was knocked to the ground, one of his assailants grabbed a large sandbag and dropped it on his head, authorities say.
The pair did not know Griffith before the attack, according to police, who arrested the pair July 22. Officials have not said what led them to Johnson and Toney.