Attorneys for the state and the defendant in a Waukegan murder case said Wednesday that it is likely a negotiated guilty plea will be entered by Miguel Leyva as early as next week.
Leyva, 25, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of Adrian Villarreal, who was found fatally shot in his vehicle near Hickory and Center streets in Waukegan on March 15, 2014, according to Waukegan police.
Last week, attorneys attended a private conference with Judge Daniel Shanes to discuss a possible plea deal. After a brief hearing Wednesday morning, defense attorney Greg Nikitas said a court date has been scheduled for May 6, at which Leyva is tentatively expected to enter the plea.
“It looks like it’s heading that way,” Nikitas said.
Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Lauren Kalcheim Rothenberg also said the plea deal appears likely but noted it has not been finalized.
Leyva, who is scheduled for trial May 18, is being held in Lake County Jail on $3 million bail.
According to police reports, Leyva and Villarreal had met earlier on the night of the shooting, and Villarreal was shot after a dispute between the two men.
A gun was recovered during the investigation, police said.
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