Will Teen Burglary Case Go to Trial?

Two Deerfield teenagers charged with invading a Highland Park home in August are nearing a scheduled trial date with their attorneys not commenting on whether the case will be tried or resolved.

Joshua Norris and Joseph Mahoney, both 18, appeared in Lake County Court today for a pretrial and status hearing before Judge Daniel Shanes but little progress was reported by Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney Steve Sheller.

“There are still some issues we need to iron out,” Sheller said to Shanes. The Judge set the case for a pre trial at 9 a.m. July 2. It is tentatively set for trial some time after July 8.

One question defense lawyers Robert Gevirtz (Norris) and Chris Cronson (Mahoney) must answer should the case go to trial is whether they want Norris and Mahoney to have separate hearings. Neither would comment on their strategy. Sheller said it was up to the defense.

“The defense would have to ask,” Sheller said after today’s hearing. “The law presumes if they were indicted together they would be tried together.”

Mahoney and Norris were charged with home invasion, burglary and more in August and were indicted on September.

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