Court delays case involving gun brought to golf tournament
Court proceedings involving a former Indiana police officer who authorities say brought a concealed weapon to a professional golf tournament in Lake Forest last year were delayed Tuesday.
Mark Fedder, 48, from Osceola, Ind., faces a felony count of unlawful use of a weapon for trying to enter the BMW Championship at Conway Farms in September with a handgun.
Defense attorney Thomas Briscoe asked for a third preliminary hearing in front of Judge Raymond Collins to meet with prosecutors regarding the charges.
“We are working with the state to resolve this issue short of litigation,” Briscoe said.
Lake County State's Attorney Mike Nerheim said Briscoe has contacted the office to set up a meeting, and both sides are reviewing case law because of the state's new conceal and carry law.
Fedder was charged Sept. 16 with a misdemeanor count of attempted obstruction of justice after he tried to enter the golf tournament with a handgun. Nerheim upgraded the charges to a felony because Fedder tried to enter a public event with the weapon, and did not possess an Illinois concealed weapon permit.
Briscoe said previously that Fedder worked as police officer in Mishawaka, Ind., until leaving the department in 2012, and he habitually wears the firearm at his waist because Indiana law allows him to do so. He said Fedder immediately informed security officials at Conway Farms about the sidearm when he got to the front of the volunteer line.
Fedder remains free on bond after posting $1,500 bail. He is due back in court Feb. 11.