Winnetka Man Admits Murdering Brother-In-Law, Tries To Withdraw Plea

SKOKIE, IL — The man accused of fatally shooting his brother-in-law and trying to kill his sister before he was taken into custody at the conclusion of an hourslong standoff with police at his downtown Winnetka apartment four years ago agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors just as his trial was set to begin last month.

John Gately, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder in exchange for prosecutors agreeing to drop 79 other charges against him. But now, he wants to take it back.

Gately admitted in his plea that he murdered Stephen Shapiro on Aug. 13, 2018. According to prosecutors, he showed up uninvited at Shapiro's Northfield home that evening, demanded to see his sister and shot Shapiro twice in the chest when he refused.

Authorities said Gately also tried to murder his sister, but she was saved when the gun jammed.

Shapiro was a prominent attorney who argued multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and was a partner at the Chicago-based international law firm Mayer Brown. Family and former colleagues remembered him as a legal genius with a strong sense of community.

Prosecutors have alleged Gately was motivated to kill his sister — Shapiro's wife — by a dispute over money between siblings.

According to probate court records, Gately had been supported by his mother until her medical condition left her unable to manager her finances.

And shortly before the August 2018 slaying, Gately's sister told him she would "no longer just give him money," Assistant State's Attorney Andreana Turano said at Gately's initial court appearance.

Gately's jury trial had been scheduled to begin last in Skokie until he elected to plead guilty instead.

Cook County Circuit Judge Anjana Hansen sentenced Gately to 23 years in prison, with credit for about four years time served, to be followed by three years of mandatory supervised release, according to the Aug 19 sentencing document.

Under Illinois law, 100 percent of sentences for first-degree murder must be served, unlike most other crimes, which can be paroled after 50 percent or 85 percent of the time has been served. That would have seen Gately eligible for release around age 90.

But Gately is now seeking to take back his plea.

Earlier this month, his public defenders filed a motion on his behalf asking Hansen to vacate his plea. A hearing on the request is scheduled for Sept. 27.

According to the motion, Gately stated that "the reason for vacating his guilty plea is the defendant's judgment was impaired due to an apparent migraine."

Related:

• Homicide Of Renowned North Shore Attorney Shocks Legal Community
• Brother-In-Law Charged With Murder Of Northfield Attorney
• Winnetka Man Murdered Lawyer, Tried To Kill Sister: Prosecutors
• Judge Rejects Lawyer's Request To Sell Accused Murderer's Guns