Tomczak Law Group Aims To Bring Gleason's Murder Case To An End

JOLIET, IL — Five years after Danny Rios, a 52-year-old Joliet bartender, was fatally shot execution-style inside Izzy's Bar on Theodore Street while several customers and the owner's family were present, the first-degree murder case of Patrick Gleason may be nearing a resolution even though no trial date has been set.

On Wednesday, the case of Patrick Gleason was reassigned out of the courtroom of Will County Judge Daniel Rippy because the Gleason family has hired downtown Joliet's Tomczak Law Group as Gleason's new defense counsel.

Over the past several months, Gleason served as his own lawyer after firing attorney Chuck Bretz. Gleason had a rocky relationship with Bretz and wanted to fire him on several instances over the past few years.

Rippy recused himself from being further involved Gleason's first-degree murder proceedings because Rippy was a lawyer with attorney Jeff Tomczak's law firm prior to becoming a judge.

While serving as his own counsel, Gleason filed a pro se motion asking Judge Rippy to dig up the body of Rios, who was buried at Joliet's Woodlawn Memorial cemetery in March 2018.

The judge rejected Gleason's motion in December.

"Anyone who has followed Tomczak Law Group knows we don't shy away from the tough cases," attorney Jeff Tomczak informed Joliet Patch on Wednesday. "We are looking forward to reviewing the discovery in an attempt to determine how a client who never committed a crime in his life finds himself in this situation.

"At this point, and for the benefit of all involved, I see no reason this case cannot be concluded this year."

Now 60 years old, Gleason has remained in the Will County Jail since March 11, 2018. His bail stands at $10 million.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

• Will Murder Victim Danny Rios' Body Be Exhumed From Grave?
• Izzy's Bar Murder Defendant Remains Successful At Delaying Trial
• Rios Family Sues Murder Defendant Patrick Gleason
• Izzy's Murder Defendant Claims Cops Killed Him, Trial Almost Here
• Izzy's Murder Defendant Wants His 4 Meds: Bretz