Trial delayed in fatal DUI case

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Cecil Conner was charged with DUI in a crash that killed 5-year-old Michael Langford Jr.

Updated: January 19, 2011 9:58PM

JOLIET — Cecil R. Conner Jr., 22, says police gave him the green light to drive about 40 minutes before he slammed his girlfriend’s car into a tree, killing her 5-year-old son, Michael Langford Jr.

Conner allegedly was under the influence of alcohol and drugs during the May 10 crash at 34th and Carpenter streets in Steger. He appeared Tuesday in Will County Court.

Prior to the crash, Kathie LaFond, the boy’s mom, had been pulled over in Chicago Heights for routine traffic violations. She was taken into custody for driving on a suspended license and gave Conner permission to take the car with the child strapped into a booster seat in the back seat, Chicago Heights police said.

Police say there were no indications that Conner was impaired but his attorneys are questioning whether proper procedures were followed to determine whether he could safely drive.

Conner was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol over the 0.08 legal limit and driving under the influence of cannabis.

Paul Napolski and Jeffrey Tomczak argued Tuesday on Conner’s behalf that the state had also bombarded the defense with late discovery motions that came in as early as that morning. They requested the judge postpone the trial until Wednesday morning to give them time to “digest what the state has handed out.”

Judge Edward Burmila is presiding over Conner’s case. He agreed to postpone the case until 9:30 a.m. today Jury selection could begin then.