Joliet Bartender's Murder: Patrick Gleason Finally Has Jury Trial In Danny Rios' Slaying

JOLIET, IL — Seven-and-half years ago, 52-year-old Joliet bartender Danny Rios was fatally shot — execution style — inside the Izzy's Bar on Joliet's Theodore Street. The bar owner's son, Tommy Izquierdo, was then shot in the stomach, and he later recovered from life-threatening injuries.

Starting Monday morning, Crest Hill resident Patrick Gleason will finally stand trial as jury selection gets underway to determine Gleason's guilt or innocence.

Jury selection begins in Courtroom 404 of Will County Judge Vincent Cornelius. The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow aims to convict Gleason of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a gun.

Gleason, now 63 years old, has remained in the Will County Jail under the old Illinois cash bail-bond system, facing a $10 million bail. Gleason was 56 years old when Joliet police arrested him inside the Izzy's Bar during the overnight hours of March 9, 2018. He then spent two days inside St. Joe's hospital recovering from severe injuries. After the shootings, several bar patrons tackled Gleason and restrained him until Joliet police officers arrived to the scene.

Jeff Tomczak, CJ Haney Handling Gleason's Murder Defense

Originally, Gleason was represented by downtown Joliet lawyer Chuck Bretz; however, Bretz and Gleason parted ways after Gleason could no longer get along with Bretz, Joliet Patch has previously reported. During the past few years, Gleason has been represented by Tomczak Law Group.

Attorney Jeff Tomczak and one of his associates, attorney CJ Haney, the son of long-time Joliet criminal defense attorney Steven Haney, will handle Gleason's murder trial defense next week.

This week's court files show that Tomczak Law Group submitted a list of approximately 15 questions they may ask during Monday's jury selection in hopes of finding 12 citizens of Will County who are willing to listen to the Joliet murder trial proceedings with an impartial mindset.

Some of the questions Tomczak and Haney may ask the prospective jurors are as follows:

"If evidence shows the defendant used racial slurs, such as the word 'beaner,' could you set aside any personal feelings about that and judge the case solely on the facts and law?"

"If you encounter media coverage about this case during the trial, can you avoid engaging with it to ensure you remain impartial?"

"What sources do you rely on for news about crime?"

"If evidence shows that the defendant was a concealed carry holder, would that affect your ability to be fair and impartial to the defendant?"

"This case involves graphic video evidence, such as a shooting, which you may have to review multiple times. Can you remain fair and impartial despite any emotional response?"

"In a case with two separate shootings arising out of one occurrence, could you judge the facts of each shooting independently based solely on its evidence and the law?"

"Do you believe witness accounts from high-stress situations like a crowded bar with a shooting can sometimes be unreliable or influenced by group dynamics?"

"Do you think someone's state of mind, like being upset or angry after being provoked, can lead to actions they didn't fully plan or intend?"

Related Joliet Patch coverage over the years:

7 Years Since Joliet Bartender Danny Rios' Murder: What's Going On?

Pat Gleason Drank 'Big Bottle Of Crown Royal' Before The Murder: JPD

'I Feel Really Bad About Killing That Guy' Murder Defendant Told JPD