Indiana Man Charged In Momence Bar Owner's Slaying To Remain In Custody Until Trial: Judge

KANKAKEE COUNTY, IL — An Indiana man charged in the Feb. 2 slaying of a beloved Momence bar owner appeared in Kankakee County Circuit Court Wednesday, and was ordered to remain behind bars while he awaits trial.

Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was transferred from Indiana to Jerome Combs Detention Center on Tuesday, the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday afternoon. He has since been formally charged in the Feb. 2 shooting death of Courtney Drysdale, 30, at her business, The Line.

Burkes is accused of shooting Drysdale twice execution-style at the bar located on the Illinois/Indiana state line on Illinois Route 114. Burkes allegedly entered the bar as Drysdale was opening it, and demanded she hand over cash. Drysdale complied, but was shot and killed anyway, the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office said. Burkes then fled, heading towards Indiana, police said.

The next day and just hours after authorities shared images of a person and vehicle of interest, Burkes was arrested leaving his residence in Hammond, Indiana. Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey attributed his swift capture to the public's engagement and tips offered.

"I want to praise, not only the extraordinary efforts of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force, the FBI, the US Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Hammond Police Department on this quick and peaceful apprehension, but I want to commend the community-at-large for coming together and providing quantities of tips and information that ultimately led to this swift arrest,” Downey said.

"This type of violent behavior has no place in our society, and I am extremely appreciative of the overwhelming support we received from the public, the media, as well as our partners in the criminal justice system near and far.”

Prosecutors in court Wednesday argued that Burkes and Drysdale knew each other previously, when they both worked at the bar operating under a different name from 2017 to 2019, WGN reports. Burkes was reportedly fired when Drysdale alerted management that he had been taking money from the bar, WGN reported.

Drysdale had been a longtime bartender at the business before becoming the owner in 2022, and was remembered in her obituary for her pride in the business, warmth and kind heart. She was laid to rest Tuesday.

Drysdale is survived by her daughter Aubrey, fiancé Neil Trudeau, father Glenn Novotny, and brothers James (Trista Hodges) Drysdale and Robert (Anna) Novotny, as well as other family. Her mother preceded her in death.

A GoFundMe has been established supporting Drysdale's daughter.

"... Courtney was deeply loved, not only by her family and young daughter, but also by the many patrons and friends whose lives she touched," said Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey. "This senseless act of violence has profoundly impacted our community, and we are fully committed to bringing the person responsible to justice.

""We hope that in some way the apprehension of this monster will bring some sort of peace to Courtney’s family, friends and community," the sheriff's office said on social media. "Please continue to keep them in your prayers."

Burkes last week waived extradition in Indiana court, telling a judge he is currently on bond there for another offense. Court records there show he is charged with felony residential entry (or breaking and entering). His next court date there is set for Feb. 26.

In Kankakee Wednesday, Burkes was remanded by Associate Judge Andrew Purcell, who subsequently ordered a pretrial investigation report.

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe will seek a life sentence if Burkes is convicted, court records show.

Burkes previously pleaded guilty to two counts of felony murder in Cook County, and was sentenced to 37 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to Cook County court records. He was 15 years old at the time of his arrest in 1994.

Burkes served 17 years of his sentence before his release in 2012, WGN reports. He then was arrested again two days later, for failure to register with the state as a convicted murderer, according to the report.

He was imprisoned and then released again in 2014. Ten days later, Kankakee County court records show he was arrested again on a misdemeanor battery charge. He pleaded guilty, and was placed on 12 months of supervised release, records show.

Then in March 2017, a woman pursued an order of protection against Burkes for alleged stalking, which was granted. An extension was issued, but months later, the victim had it dismissed.