Patch Court Watch: Attempted Murder of Son

DUPAGE:
Elmhurst:
The woman accused of attempting kill her son by drugging him is seeking lawyers in her criminal and divorce cases. During a recent court appearance, Cheryl Luchetta asked for and was granted one non-collect phone call from the DuPage County Jail, where she's being held, to contact an attorney in her ongoing divorce, while also attempting to find a private attorney to represent her on the attempted murder charge. She is currently working with a public defender in that case, and acted as her own lawyer during a recent divorce hearing. Luchetta returns to court Nov. 29.

The felony battery trial for one of three Elmhurst family members accused in a March bar altercation with police had his trial postponed on Nov. 1. Steven Connell was scheduled to start his trial before Judge George Bakalis, but his attorney told the judge at least three witnesses were unavailable. Although prosecutors objected to a continuance, Bakalis granted it after saying prosecutors previously delayed the trial because a police witness was away on his honeymoon. Connell's trial is now set for Jan. 24. His brother and father are scheduled to stand trial together on misdemeanor battery charges on Jan. 23.