Granat Murders Defendant Could Go Home Next Week: Attorney

After sitting in jail for more than a year, one teen charged in the robbery and beating death of a Palos township couple could get the chance to go home.

A bond hearing for Mohammad K. Salahat, 18, is set for 1 p.m. on Dec. 3 in Judge Neil J. Linehan's Bridgeview courtroom, defense attorney Joel Brodsky told Patch during a phone interview on Tuesday.

Salahat is charged with murder in connection with stabbing and beating death of John and Maria Granat, along with three alleged accomplices: Christopher Wyma, 18; Ehab Qasem, 20; and the couple's son, John Granat, 18.

The four men have been in custody without bond since the incident. Linehan could rescind a no-bond order for Salahat at the Dec. 3 hearing.

Salahat has been described by prosecutors as the driver who remained in a car outside the home while the other three beat and stabbed the Granats to death in their bedroom on Sept. 11, 2011. Brodsky has described his client as "the fall guy" in the murders. However, prosecutors argue that Salahat was fully aware of what was happening inside the home.

Relying on a psychiatric evaluation that claims Salahat isn't violent, Brodsky hopes Linehan will reconsider setting a bond.

"We want to see if we can get Mohammad [Salahat] a reasonable bond," Brodsky said. "I mean, he's facing life without parole [if convicted]; he should be entitled to a bond.

If Salahat is granted a bond, he'll likely have to post bail in order to be released. Brodsky said they aren't asking for a type of bond that would allow the defendant to go home without posting any money up front.

None of other three defendants have said Salahat was involved in the "violent acts" that killed the Granats, Brodsky said.

"[Salahat's] worst mistake is that he was the driver," the defense attorney said. "We're not even sure whether or not he knew were the other guys were talking about and planning. Under those circumstances, a bond would be appropriate."

"Hopefully, he'll be home next week," Brodsky said.

Salahat Separated from Co-Defendants

Brodsky's latest motion does not apply to the other three accused, a move that has temporarily separated Salahat from the others in these initial proceedings.

Wyma, Qasem and Granat appeared briefly before Linehan Tuesday, where prosecutors said they have tendered evidence of transcripts, discs and police reports.

However, there may be more evidence to exchange, prosecutors told Linehan.

LaFonzo Palmer, a public defender assigned to Granat—the son of the slain couple—about two months ago, told the judge he was still getting caught up with 900-plus pages of evidence.

Getting to trial will take some time, Palmer told Patch on Tuesday, but he plans to fight the case.

Granat, Qasem and Wyma are set to be back in Linehan's court on Jan. 25.

Editor's Note: An update was made to the story regarding representation for the defendants. At least two of the men are represented by private attorneys.