'We Love You, Jon': Romeo Nance's Co-Defendant Learns His Future

JOLIET — Joliet murder defendant Jon Hansen smiled when he was led into Will County Courtroom 502 on Wednesday morning, after seeing at least a dozen family and friends in the gallery, including his baby girl and his girlfriend. Hansen has been locked up in the Will County Jail since May 31, when the Will County Sheriff's Office had Hansen arrested on first-degree murder charges in connection with the late January 2024 mass murder spree carried out by Hansen's friend, Joliet criminal Romeo Nance, who died fleeing the police in Texas.

The Hansen family hired one of Joliet's most notable criminal defense law firms, Tomczak Law Group, to represent their loved one.

Attorney Jeff Tomczak argued that Will County Judge Jessica Colon-Sayre should let the 25-year-old murder defendant out of the jail because his client needs to help raise his baby daughter and that Hansen has employment prospects available.

Judge Colon told everyone that she spent a couple of days reviewing the case and last June's previous order from fellow Will County Judge Vincent Cornelius, denying Hansen his bid for pretrial release under the Illinois SAFE-T-Act.

"I appreciate as a baby grows, the demands of parents become complicated," Judge Colon said. However, Colon made it clear that "I support those findings" from Judge Cornelius, "and I believe this court feels further detention is necessary in protecting the community and the public. I support the findings of Judge Cornelius. I believe that further detention is necessary."

As the Will County sheriff's deputies escorted Hansen away from Courtroom 502, one of his male family members yelled out, "We love you, Jon."

Last June, Joliet Patch reported that Will County's newest first-degree murder defendant, Jon Hansen, a 24-year-old Shorewood resident from Ravinia Drive, was riding around with Romeo Nance after Nance admitted killing six people in January, according to Will County prosecutors.

Hansen's girlfriend was also riding around in the car belonging to Nance's murdered relative, prosecutors said. She is named in court documents, but Patch is not identifying her because she has not been charged.

Police believe Nance killed seven of his family members, fatally shot a man outside the Pheasant Run apartments in Joliet Township in a random attack, and wounded another man on Joliet's Davis Street in another random shooting. According to authorities, Nance fled to Mexico before taking his own life.

Tomczak Wants Speedy Trial For Hansen

After Wednesday morning's ruling did not go in his client's favor, Tomczak told Joliet Patch that he will be pushing for a speedy trial date, as allowed under the SAFE-T-Act. He's hoping the trial will be set in 90 days or less when Hansen returns to Judge Colon's courtroom for his next pretrial hearing, set for Feb. 7.

"This case needs to go to trial as soon as possible," Tomczak told Joliet Patch. "There is simply no evidence that he participated in any mass murders. What the evidence shows is that he was merely present in a homicidal maniac's car, who decided to continue his spree in the streets of Joliet."

Tomczak pointed out that in addition to Hansen, Hansen's girlfriend, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was also a passenger in Nance's car, and she was not charged with any crimes. "She cried and begged to be let out of the car while (Romeo Nance) was talking about suicide by a cop," Tomczak said.

Hansen's girlfriend, along with his little girl, who turns 1 in April, were present among the 12 to 15 family members and friends who came to Wednesday's hearing in a show of support, according to Tomczak.

Tomczak was hoping that Wednesday's pretrial detention ruling would allow Hansen's release from the Will County jail, but that is not what happened.

"I am disappointed with today's ruling, but obviously, I respect the court's decision, and we look forward to trying this matter on a burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt."

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

• Shorewood Gang Member Wanted To Fight Vice Lords: Prosecutors
• 'Romeo Nance's Reign Of Terror' In Joliet Is Over: Sheriff's Office
• Romeo Nance Was Seen Running With A Rifle: Neighborhood Source