Not Charged With Murder: Joliet Defendant Seeks Lower Bail

JOLIET, IL — A 47-year-old Joliet man arrested in connection with the Feb. 4 gunshot death of Leelinn Fox at an overnight house party along Maple Road should have his $1 million bail reduced, argues Joliet private practice attorney Paul Napolski.

The Essington Road criminal defense attorney has entered his appearance representing criminal defendant Jerald Shumpert. The Will County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Shumpert on March 9. Shumpert is being charged with being an armed habitual criminal as well as felon in possession of a gun. No murder charges were filed in connection with Fox's death.

"After gathering enough evidence, detectives were able to determine that Shumpert was the only suspect in the homicide investigation of Leelinn Fox," Will County Sheriff's officials posted on their Facebook page at the time of Shumpert's arrest.

Around 1:30 a.m. in February, Will County Sheriff's deputies learned of several gunshots fired in the 1500 block of Maple Road near the Briggs Street intersection. Deputies found the 26-year-old Joliet resident bleeding from his head from gunshot wounds. The East Joliet Fire Department rushed Fox to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, where he died around 4 a.m.

Although Will County Jail records list Shumpert's bail at $1 million, Napolski's notion listed his client's bail at $1.5 million.

"The defendant does not have the requisite 10 percent available to him in order to post bond and requests his bond be lowered to a more reasonable amount," Napolski's argued. "The defendant is confident that if released, he would be able to return to work full time, thus continuing to be a productive member of society."

Shumpert's arraignment and his hearing on the motion for a lower bail are set for April 12 in Courtroom 405 of Will County Judge Dave Carlson.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Joliet House Party Homicide: Neighbor Not Surprised By Killing

Joliet Homicide: Sheriff Arrests Jerald Shumpert, 47