Slain Des Plaines teen's family confronts defendant's family at court
Family members of a dead Des Plaines teen hurled epithets and lunged at relatives of the man accused of killing him after a bond hearing Tuesday at the Rolling Meadows courthouse where a Cook County judge ordered 20-year-old Cesar Garay held without bail.
The Rosemont man is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Patrick Boswell, who police say was shot in the back of the head about 8:55 p.m. Friday in a gangway between Carroll Court and Betty Lane near Rosemont's Allstate Arena.
This marks the first arrest for Garay, according to his attorney, Shady Yassin. That didn't sway Judge Joseph Cataldo, who spoke of the victim's age and police claims of gang involvement in ordering Garay to be held without bond, saying the defendant "certainly poses a danger to the community."
Prosecutors claim gang rivalry prompted the shooting, which followed an argument between Garay and several street gang members, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney David Weiner.
Garay is accused of going to his home, retrieving a .380 caliber handgun and running back toward the group, which included Boswell, Weiner said.
"Words were exchanged and Cesar Garay fired at least two gunshots," Weiner said, adding that three witnesses identified Garay as the shooter.
Police say Garay fled the scene and spent several days with his sister in Mount Prospect before his arrest on Jan. 4.
Yassin insisted Garay is not a gang member.
"It's unfortunate he's being portrayed that way," said Yassin, adding that his client "has a history of being harassed" by gang members.
Cook County sheriff deputies physically restrained two male relatives of Boswell, an eighth-grader at Iroquois Community School in Des Plaines, and ushered them out of the courthouse after the visibly angry men shouted expletives at Garay's relatives including his parents, fiance and 2-year-old child.
Sheriff's deputies later escorted Garay's family to their vehicles.
If convicted, Garay could face life in prison. He next appears in court on Jan. 30.