Justice was served in murder trial
Marco Lopez was found not guilty of the horrendous murders of Luis and Segundo Reynoso. I was one of 12 jurors who decided that the state did not present sufficient evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, to prove Lopez was the one who pulled the trigger that night, March 18, 2014, in Palatine.
It was not a difficult decision for me personally. Defense attorney Caroline Glennen "had me at hello" with her convincing opening statement. In fact, it was shocking to learn through nearly two weeks of exhaustive testimony how little evidence, and how weak the evidence was, that the state presented.
I would have felt sorry for state's attorney legal team, if not for the fact that they could have had a strong case against another man who was identified the very next day after the shootings. Sadly, the state and Palatine police decided Marco Lopez was their man, despite compelling information otherwise.
Yes, this was about trying to solve a double homicide. But this case was also about gang violence, and frustrated law enforcement who are trying to clean up our neighborhoods and lock up the bad guys.
The most convenient and a despised gang member was singled out to take the blame. He was a bad apple, no doubt.
On his way to bigger and more heinous illegal activity? Probably so. But he didn't kill his good friend Luis, and he didn't kill Segundo, the man who provided shelter to him when he needed it.
I walked away from the Rolling Meadows courthouse a proud American. Our justice system works. We have brave, smart, compassionate legislators like Judge Marc Martin, who was fair to each and every person who entered his courtroom.
As for the doubters, your success will be the very best revenge.
Susan Diamond
Wheeling