A Chicago man will be tried separately from a second man charged in the same homicide that occurred last year in Gary.
A judge granted a request by defense attorney Angela Jones, who represents Nicholas Pelissier, 19, of Chicago, to allow the two cases to be tried separately.
More Top Picks Best Charcoal Grills For Home Use
In May, Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez joined Pelissier’s case with that of William Galloway. Galloway, of Gary, was charged in November with murder in the shooting death of Jonquell Golida, 23, and attempted murder in the wounding of Timothy Fryerson. The shooting occurred Nov. 12 in the area of 49th Avenue and Massachusetts Street in Gary. Pelissier was charged in February. Both Galloway and Pelissier have pleaded not guilty.
Vasquez had joined the cases for trial, over Jones’ objection, because the facts and witnesses in the two cases overlapped.
On Tuesday, Vasquez recused himself in the Galloway case, which now will be heard by Judge Diane Ross Boswell. That move meant the jury trial for Galloway and Pelissier, scheduled to start Sept. 25, would not occur for Galloway because the case must be scheduled on Boswell’s trial calendar.
Jones said in her motion that her client would not give up his right to be tried within 180 days, minus any delays caused by the defense, and wanted to proceed with his trial on Sept. 25. Lake Superior Court Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan, who was filling in for Vasquez on Thursday, granted the request.
Meanwhile, both Galloway and Pelissier have been involved in hearings to set bail on the murder charges. Evidence in those hearings has concluded, and a ruling is expected sometime around mid-September.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.