Who Is The Attorney Defending John L. Wilson?
Patch talked to the former Chicago homicide detective, who told his reasons for taking the case to defend the accused murderer of Kelli O’Laughlin.
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It may surprise some that the man defending the accused murderer of a 14-year-old Lyons Township freshman pro bono has a 14-year-old of his own—and that he plans to enter a plea of not guilty for John L. Wilson, Jr.
Wilson is the man charged in the brutal stabbing death of 14-year-old Kelli O’Laughlin. Police say Wilson murdered the Indian Head Park teen after she walked in on him burglarizing her home. The complaint by the Cook County state’s attorney alleges that Wilson then took O’Laughlin’s cell phone and began sending her mother "taunting and disturbing" text messages.
Naperville-based attorney John Paul Carroll is a former Chicago homicide detective, who said he heard about the case while in the courthouse defending another client. He said someone from the sheriff’s office walked out of the courtroom where Wilson was making his initial appearance and said he did not believe Wilson was being treated fairly.
“[The officer] said, ‘It’s not right, all the attention they’re putting on this guy,’” said Carroll. “I thought to myself, it isn’t right that this guy is being treated differently than dozens of dozens of different clients that I have had … Some of [Wilson’s] family came up to us and asked what we charged, and I know they didn’t have the money to pay us, so I said we’ll do it for free.”
Carroll said that he knows some people may think badly of him and co-counsel Michelle Gonzalez for defending Wilson, but he does not care. He said he needs to do what he feels is right.
“Some may say, ‘How can Mr. Carroll plead him not guilty?’ Well, there is a presumption that they have the wrong guy,” said Carroll. “There is a presumption of innocence that is not overcome unless those 12 people [in the jury] find they are convinced that he did it beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Carroll said he believes Wilson already has been convicted by the media, and people should not assume that he did it, because of what they have read.
Death Threat Against Wilson
Carroll said the attention already has prompted a death threat against Wilson. Earlier this week, Carroll said his office received an email from someone who warned that he was going to be around the courthouse to make sure that Wilson "gets justice."
Carroll has sent a letter to the supervisor of the State’s Attorney's office in Bridgeview, the supervisor of the Sheriff's deputies assigned to security and the chief judge of the fifth municipal district circuit court of Cook County alerting them of the threat.
"I don’t get these [types of threats] often, [and] I do many, many murders," said Carroll. "This case has generated a lot of emotion with different people. My office is trying to give the State’s Attorney, the judges and Sheriff's office a heads up."
Wilson’s next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 21.
Mike Sandrolini
12:09 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
John Paul Carroll, the attorney who's representing accused murderer John L. Wilson Jr., said Wilson has been convicted by the media, and that people should not assume Wilson is guilty. What do you think of this statement by Carroll?
Midge Ruhl
8:25 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Just my uneducatedd opinion, but in this case, I cannot see a "presumption of innocence"......Carroll will be our iLLINOIS version of Jose Baez !
joanna caiafa
12:45 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
I think Mr Carroll is going to get his name out there. Yes Wilson is entitled to a fair trial, and to be given the same rights as any other defendant. This case has touched so many beyond our community. What's that saying; Any publicity is good publicity. This kind of case will get Mr Carroll media attention and advertise his firm.
clarhillsmom
7:05 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
And hopefully the public will say enough -- and never use this firm.
Kelly
3:00 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
Mr. Carroll likes to participate in or lead high profile cases and make a mockery of them. When representing an African American client he almost always claims there's racial injustice or it's a modern day lynching. Please, that defense is getting so old and hasn't worked for him yet. I try to believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty but if a person is found with a phone that belongs to a person just murdered and phone calls are made to the murdered child's mother by that same phone while in the possession of the suspect I feel pretty confident the police have the right guy. Mr. Carroll has his pro bono work cut out for him. Good luck with that.
Now that Mr. Carroll has another high profile client does that mean he will no longer assist on the Drew Peterson trial?
Lizzy
4:43 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
Well then how do you explain the DNA found in the cap at my friend Kelli's house that matched his the day an angel was taken away from us how do you explain that his phone and Kelli's phone traveled together to the same places? Justice will be served to you Kelli! I miss you! Hope your having fun! Merry Christmas!!
Diva G
12:06 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mr. Carroll is attempting to put his name in the media. God only knows how he can sleep at night after defending that monsterous thing. Any real counsel would take a pass at publicizing his firm for protecting our society from a sociopathic criminal.
I believe God is good... and that he will protect and comfort Kelli's family, and her loved ones during this challenging trial. Justice will be served. And I hope Mr. Carroll makes a fool of himself....
clarhillsmom
7:02 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
There is enough physical evidence to convict this guy in the court of public opinion. This monster is not being convicted by the media- - he s being convicted by DNA and a stolen cell phone, and sickening emails. He can have his day in court, but really do not know why he deserves any better than a public defender. Sad that Mr. Carroll could even stomach defending this guy given he has a 14 old daughter. He worrries about fair treatment, and all I can think of is how unfair the O'Laughlin family has it, not to mention Kelli who never got a chance to live a life. Not all publicity is good Mr. Carroll. I personally know after reading this; you would be the last attorney I would call if I needed one.
Midge Ruhl
8:51 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
How could Carroll surmise Wilson is not being "treated" right? He attempted to trash a jail cell, had to be moved to another town's holding area and is playing his "insanity" card well...the bleeding heart, unconscienable liberal Carroll is moron who obviously has had a less than marginal law practice and now needs to seek fame before he becomes too old.
Randy Truckenbrodt
2:21 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
From all reports of evidence gathered, the criminal is in custody. Unfortunately, the attorneys and the judges know the judicial system doesn't always work toward justice. The judges and attorneys like to deal in theories and often forget about the evidence and reality. Wilson has and always will be a waste of time and money for his family and society at large. He presents a sound argument for reinstating the death penalty.
Jean marie
7:56 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Lets exucute the attorney also.