Routine Day In Court for Granat and Salahat

Caption: John Granat, 21 and Mohammad Salahat, 20, who are charged in the murders of Granat’s parents, John and Maria, in unincorporated Palos Township in September 2011.

Murder co-defendants John Granat, 21, and Mohammad Salahat, 20, got a ride on the Cook County sheriff’s bus to Bridgeview Monday morning where both men were scheduled for hearing before Judge Neil Lineham.

Granat and Salahat, along with their associates Christopher Wyma, 21, and Ehab Qasem, 23, are being held at Cook County Jail pending their trial for the 2011 slayings of Granat’s parents, John and Maria, in unincorporated Palos Township.

Prosecutors say that Granat marshalled Stagg High School friends Wyma and Qasem into a plot to kill his parents, who were found bludgeoned and stabbed in their upscale home the morning of Sept. 11, 2011.

Salahat, the youngest of the four and a sophomore at Oak Lawn Community School, had been acquainted with Qasem for only a few months when he was recruited into the alleged plot to kill and rob John and Maria Granat.

Salahat’s attorneys claim he drove Wyma and Qasem to the Granats’ home at 12762 S. 81st Court in unincorporated Palos Park and was sitting outside in the car believing robbery was the sole intent. Salahat is alleged to have accepted $4,000 for his role as driver, which prosecutors said he spent on restaurants and video games.

Monday’s status hearing lasted less than minute as their attorneys and prosecutors continue to exchange pre-discovery evidence, including more cell phone records.

Granat had relatives in the courtroom and Salahat’s family showed up as they always do for their boy. Both co-defendants searched the courtroom for a fleeting glance of their loved ones as they were led and out in their bright yellow jail uniforms.

Granat’s relatives did not wish to comment when asked if they still supported young John.

Salahat and Granat are due back for another status hearing on July 23.

Wyma has a hearing on June 18, and Qasem is scheduled to appear on July 20.