Attorneys have asked for a private conference with a judge to discuss a possible plea deal for a Waukegan man charged with murder.
Miguel Leyva, 25, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the death of Adrian Villarreal, who was found unresponsive in his vehicle near Hickory and Center streets in Waukegan on March 15, 2014, according to Waukegan police.
Villarreal, who was also from Waukegan, was shot to death, according to authorities.
On Thursday, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Lauren Kalcheim Rothenberg and defense attorney Gregory Nikitas asked Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes to schedule a conference to discuss plea negotiations.
Shanes, who noted he rarely participates in such conferences, said he will consider the matter. He then set Leyva’s next court date as April 20. Leyva is currently scheduled for trial May 18.
Leyva is being held in Lake County Jail on $3 million bail.
According to police reports, Leyva is accused of shooting Villarreal after a dispute. A gun was recovered during the investigation, authorities said.
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