Defense lawyers quit murder case following mistrial
Following a mistrial, two defense lawyers quit a murder case this week, citing disagreements with their client on how to proceed.
Jaylan Mendoza, 23, is charged with murder in the Aug. 20, 2023, death of his father Delwin McCloud, 42.
Lawyer Lakeisha Murdaugh wrote the reasons included that Mendoza wanted “certain physical evidence presented to the jury” that went against her professional judgment. Their relationship had “broken down.”
Co-counsel Amishi Sanghvi also withdrew, filings show. Mendoza’s new trial is Sept. 29.
A court hearing is set for Sept. 4 to see if he has picked a new lawyer.
Judge Natalie Bokota declared a mistrial last month after an Illinois university police officer had been allowed to stay on the jury.
As the juror was later questioned alone in court, he said that fellow jurors had already asked him questions on guns, bodycams and trespassing laws.
A deputy prosecutor went over case law again and discovered that it would still violate state law, even if he didn’t work as a police officer in Indiana. A jury screening form used in Lake County asks candidates if they have served as a police officer, and to list their current job and spouse’s occupation.
Mendoza was granted bail last year after Murdaugh introduced footage provided by Mendoza’s brother, who used his phone to record the security footage. It was a second or two longer and appeared to show McCloud “lunging” at Mendoza’s neck, the lawyer argued.
In filings, prosecutors disputed the characterization.
Man gets just over three years for bank fraud
A man got just over three years Monday for a multi-state check-cashing scheme.
Ricardo Castro Murillo, 34, of Honduras, got 37 months after a plea agreement for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor said in a release.
He will also serve one year on supervised release.
Federal prosecutors alleged he and co-defendants cashed nearly 170 fake checks in January 2023 for $233,000 from a “company that operates dairy farms” in Northwest Indiana.
They cashed another 178 fake checks in June 2023 for almost $300,000 at the same bank company in Northwest Indiana, plus three check-cashing stores in Oklahoma. The checks pretended to be from an Oklahoma “building supply company.”
“Castro Murillo participated in a far-reaching conspiracy that caused major financial harm to community banks and small businesses across the United States. Due to the unwavering efforts and collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, Castro Murillo was brought to justice for his role in this scheme,” Proctor said in a release. “The sentence imposed by the court sends a message that there are real consequences for engaging in fraud, particularly in northwest Indiana.”
Co-defendant Luis Banegas Rodriguez got 27 months.
Calumet City man gets probation for shooting at tow truck
A Calumet City man got one year probation earlier this month for shooting at a tow truck.
Lawrence Bolling pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal recklessness. He was sentenced Aug. 12.
Merrillville Police were called Feb. 3 for shots fired near 85th Avenue and Polo Club Drive, according to an affidavit.
The victim said he was looking for cars to tow in The Lakes at 8201 apartment complex when Bolling came holding a red plastic cup, “yelling and threatening” him.
Towing cars would get him “laid out and dropped dead,” Bolling said, according to the affidavit.
The tow truck driver said he “didn’t understand” Bolling’s problem, since he wasn’t towing his car. Bolling got “in his face,” and the man returned to his truck, while Bolling tried to push the door shut on him, according to charges.
As the victim drove off toward W. 85th, he rolled down the window and told Bolling if he parked “illegally,” he’d get towed like everyone else. The man then heard “three booms.”
Witnesses told police the man fitting Bolling’s description walked back to the visitor parking spots holding a gun.
Post-Tribune archives contributed.
mcolias@post-trib.com
