Halloween Party Murder Defendants Need $1 Million Cash For Bail

JOLIET, IL — The family of two Joliet brothers facing 16 criminal charges in connection with the deadly shootings at a Halloween party on Joliet's east side has hired a lawyer from Chicago to defend one of their sons, Jeremy Lopez, 19.

"I don't even know if he was even there," attorney Robert Pervan said, referring to the Halloween party where several people were shot, including two fatally. "It's still too early out. I need more information. This is all fresh, I just got the case."

Pervan's client, along with Jeremy Lopez's 21-year-old brother, Thomas Lopez, were charged Thursday morning with multiple counts of first-degree murder in the Oct. 31 shooting deaths of Holly Matthews, 22, and Jonathan Ceballos, 22.

A third co-defendant, Joskar Ramos, 18, of Joliet's Gael Drive, also had his court appearance Thursday in front of Will County Judge Dave Carlson.

One by one, Judge Carlson informed the Lopez brothers and Ramos that they face natural life in prison, with no chance for parole, probation or conditional discharge, if Will County prosecutors convict them of their most serious charges, first-degree murder.

The criminal complaint states that all three of the defendants shot Mathews, causing her death at the backyard party that as many as 200 people attended.

The complaint also states the same three young men fatally shot Ceballos at the party.

In addition, the Lopez brothers and Ramos are charged with the attempted murder of a young man from Joliet, "causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement" to him. In the criminal case with the same victim, the Lopez brothers and Ramos also face one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.

The Lopez brothers and Ramos are charged with five counts of aggravated battery involving a firearm related to the non-fatal shootings of five men who were injured at the backyard party at 1018 East Jackson Street in Joliet Township, just outside the city limits.

Lastly, Thomas Lopez, Jeremy Lopez and Ramos face three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Judge Carlson set bail at $10 million for all three young men and told them they need to post 10 percent, which is $1 million cash, in order to regain their freedom while awaiting their trial.

Their next court hearings will take place in about two weeks.

Afterward, Pervan introduced himself to Joliet Patch's editor and the Chicago Tribune reporter covering Thursday's hearing at the Will County Courthouse.

Pervan, who runs the Pervan Law Offices, grew up in Joliet on North Broadway Street and knows the Lopez family. About a half dozen family members of the Lopez brothers attended Thursday morning's hearing in Courtroom 405.

Pervan said that Jeremy Lopez denies the murder charges, and Pervan vows to mount a vigorous criminal defense on behalf of the Joliet 19-year-old, who lives in the 100 block of Clement Street.

"I've represented Jeremy on other matters," Pervan said.

As for the $10 million bail, Pervan told Joliet Patch that he will probably file a motion seeking a bond reduction hearing in the coming weeks. First, he said, he needs to learn more details about the Will County Sheriff's Office investigation that led to his client's arrest.

Related Patch coverage: 18 Murder Charges In Joliet Halloween Party Mass Shootings