A family member of a murder defendant allegedly battered two family members of the murder victim during a sentencing hearing Wednesday at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan.
The incident occurred in Courtroom T-611 at the Lake County Courthouse during the afternoon court call.
A sentencing hearing was taking place for Jeffrey L. Donel, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for a homicide in Zion that occurred on July 7, 2022.
A family member of the defendant, Dexter D. Donel, 37, of Chicago, was not following cell phone rules while attending the hearing, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Emily Shanley-Roberts.
A deputy asked Dexter Donel to leave the courtroom and the man began leaving.
Dexter Donel pushed two people using both of his hands, Shanley-Roberts said.
The two victims who were battered are family members of the victim who was murdered by Jeffrey Donel.
Dexter Donel was arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery.
He was transported to the Lake County Jail and appeared in First Appearance Court Thursday morning.
The charges against the man are non-detainable and he was released following the court appearance.
Lake County Judge Raymond Collins ordered Donel to have no contact with the victims and not come to the courthouse except for his own case.
The judge also ordered Donel to surrender all weapons to the sheriff’s office within 24 hours of his release.
Donel is scheduled to appear in court again on April 19 for a status of attorney hearing.