Lockport Murders Of Baby, Mom: Defendant Hires New Lawyer

JOLIET, IL — Friday marked the first time double first-degree murder defendant Anthony Maggio appeared in Will County Judge Dave Carlson's courtroom in connection with the Lockport killings of Maggio's ex-girlfriend, Ashtin Eaton, and their little baby girl, Hazel Bryant.

Maggio got to meet his new private counsel, Chicago attorney Michael Clancy. Moments after Carlson assigned the first-degree murder defendant's case to fellow Will County Judge Sarah Jones, Clancy spoke up, informing Carlson he had already prepared a motion to substitute judges because he and his client don't want Judge Jones to handle their case.

Carlson explained that Clancy needed to file his motion with Jones.

Clancy's client, who comes from Crestwood, faces a $10 million cash bail after being arrested Dec. 14 in connection with the Lockport Police Department's double homicide case from more than two years ago.

The criminal complaint states that Maggio, on Oct. 2, 2020, intended to kill or do great bodily harm to Ashtin Eaton, and strangled her to death. Born in Joliet, Eaton worked for several years at the Joliet Amazon warehouse. In the death of little Hazel Bryant, who was their daughter, Maggio smothered her to death, also on Oct. 2, 2020, the complaint noted.

As for Maggio's new counsel, the website for the Law Offices of Michael F. Clancy states he opened his law firm in 1998, "initially concentrating in defending murder, weapon, and narcotic cases all over the State of Illinois ... I am primarily a trial lawyer who would rather go to trial than negotiate a quick plea. However, I am mindful that negotiations sometimes bring the best results."

Related Patch coverage:

• Cause Of Death Revealed For Slain Lockport Baby, Mom: Prosecutors
• Arrest Made In Slaying Of Lockport Mom, Baby