Prosecutors Claim Man Washed Up, Went to Bar After Beating Dad: Court Watch

An Orland Park man pleaded not guilty to felony attempted murder, aggravated battery and unlawful restraint, after he was accused of beating and strangling his 78-year-old father. 

Prosecutors said Mark Williamson, 46, went to the bar after the incident instead of calling an ambulance. Williamson has also been ordered by the court to stay away from his father. Williamson is scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 25.

Patch rounds up the Southland's major criminal and civil cases being heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.

PALOS - Judge's Ruling Will Keep Teen Charged With Murder in Jail

A Cook County judge refused to set a bond for Mohammad Salahat, charged in the 2011 robbery and beating death of a Palos Township couple. Salahat, 18, along with three others, are being held in the murder of John and Martha Granat on Sept. 11, 2011. Christopher Wyma, 18; Ehab Qasem, 20; and the couple's son, John Granat, 18, are his co-defendants.

All four men have been in custody without bond since the incident. Salahat is scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 22.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS - Teens Plead Not Guilty to Charges in Fatal Shooting

Five teens charged in connection to a shooting that killed a 17-year-old Chicago boy have entered not guilty pleas. They are all charged with various felonies, included armed violence and mob action in connection to a November incident that killed 17-year-old Mikah Darko of Chicago in a Chicago Heights park.

Rhonzell F. Ard, 17, and Cortez Hurst, 18, both of Chicago Heights pleaded not guilty on Dec. 18. Otis Pruitt, 19; Derrell Edwards, 18; and Joshua Dean, 19, entered their pleas on Dec. 20.

All five defendants are scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 31.

HOMEWOOD - Elderly Man Charged With Sex Assault of a Child to Get Psych Test

A 71-year-old Homewood man charged with molesting a child for two years has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Hugh Copeland is due back in court on Feb. 5.

ORLAND PARK - Defense Opposes Evidence From Cell Phone in Kustok Murder Case

Authorities have gained additional evidence from a cell phone recently analyzed with technology that wasn't available two years ago, when Allan Kustok, 61, was arrested and charged in the shooting death of his wife, prosecutors said.

A Cook County judge will look at case law presented by both sides before deciding whether the evidence can be admitted.

Kustok is scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 25. 

TINLEY PARK - Ashford House 5 Leaves Plea Deal On The Table, For Now

Five Indiana men charged with assault in the Ashford House brawl have decided not to take a plea agreement offered by a Cook County judge and will instead move forward with a motion to suppress the vehicle stop where they were arrested.

John Tucker, 26; Cody Sutherlin, 24; Dylan Sutherlin, 20; Alex Stuck, 22; and Jason Sutherlin, 33, have pleaded not guilty to mob action, armed violence, aggravated battery and criminal damage to property. 

They are scheduled to be back in court on Jan. 4.

Other Crime Stories on Tinley Park Patch:

• Convicted Bank Robber and Prison Escapee Appears in Court
• Daughter's Bank Heist Prank Text Prompts Mom to Call Cops
• Bond Reduction Denied for Woman Accused of Driving Over Boyfriend
• Son to Cops: 'Daddy Killed My Mommy' (Updated)

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