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Roland Breault Found Not Guilty of First-Degree Murder in Fatal Stabbing of Joe Pendergrass

May 22, 2024

Attorney Stephen Komie recently helped a client achieve a not guilty verdict after spending years fighting murder charges in a case involving the fatal stabbing of a saloon owner in Rockford. In the case of People Vs. Roland Breault, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty of first degree murder and aggravated battery, but it found that the defendant was guilty of involuntary manslaughter. The jury ruled that Roland acted in self-defense and thus exonerated him as a murderer after an eight-year court battle to be free of the murder charge. He was immediately discharged and allowed to return home to his family while awaiting sentencing.

Komie and Associates would like thank all members of the trial team: Attorneys Brian King and Allan Ackerman, Dr. Larry Blum, MD, architect Ron Bellas, who provided the scene model, and our staff. We were especially gratified to work with jury selection expert Dr. Jo-Ellan Demetrius, who assisted with jury selection in the O.J. Simpson trial and other high-profile cases. Our firm regularly works with expert witnesses to address the unique needs of our clients. We have access to forensic accountants, psychologists, medical doctors, and other experts throughout the country to help with our clients' needs. For more information about the criminal defense services provided by Komie and Associates, contact us at 312-263-2800.

Pictured Above: Dr. Jo-Ellan Demetrius

Pictured Above: Mary Anne Breault

Pictured Above: Mary Anne Breault

Attorney Stephen M. Komie being interviewed by Stephanie Wade of ABC 7 Chicago at the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago

Attorney Stephen M. Komie being interviewed by Stephanie Wade of ABC 7 Chicago at the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago.

Presidential Commendation Presentation

President Orsey: One of the privileges of the President is the ability to recognize noteworthy service and contributions to the Association through presentation of an ISBA Presidential Commendation.

I cannot fail to acknowledge the very unique and special service of one of our own. This member joined the ISBA in 1976. This member chose to afford the Association the benefit of his commitment to the profession by aspiring to serve on the Board of Governors. He was successful in that aspiration. Indeed, some would say he was an over achiever. He has been elected to seven terms on the Board of Governors for a total of 19 years of service {so far ... as he is completing that seventh term}. During his service on the Board, he has been a tireless advocate for solo and small firm lawyers. He championed before the Assembly the adoption of the Attorney's Bill of Rights with respect to the ARDC. He lead the Association's celebration of the Rule of Law and the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. There are numerous other examples of his dedication to the practicing bar. He holds the record for the longest serving Board member in the history of the Association. I respectfully refer to him as the dean of ISBA Board members. And, he has served 34 years on the Assembly.

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Attorney Stephen M. Komie Featured on WGN Radio’s Legal Face-Off

December 21, 2021

Attorney Stephen M. Komie recently joined a round-table discussion covering several high-profile legal issues as part of the Legal Face-Off podcast on WGN Radio. During the podcast’s “Legal Grab Bag” segment, Stephen offered his thoughts as a seasoned litigator regarding the trial of Kim Potter, the former Michigan police officer charged with the shooting death of Daunte Wright. He also weighed in on lawsuits involving Eric Clapton and Shannon Doherty, as well as a few other legal topics.

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Attorney Stephen M. Komie Recognized as Elite Lawyer Founding Member

CHICAGO, IL (PRWEB) APRIL 14, 2020

Attorney Stephen M. Komie was recently recognized as an Elite Lawyer Founding Member. Stephen is the founder of Komie and Associates in Chicago. With more than 40 years of experience successfully representing clients in state, federal, and international trials and appeals, Stephen is known for his diligent defense in high-profile cases.

“I am honored to be named a Founding Member of Elite Lawyer. To be recognized as an Elite Lawyer by my peers is truly humbling and reaffirms our mission to aggressively advocate for the rights of our clients. Everyone is entitled to their day in court with a lawyer who presents their case. I am proud of the work our firm does to ensure our clients’ cases are heard and our clients are personally treated with the utmost respect when presenting their case to a judge or jury alike,” Komie stated.

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Stephen M. Komie Named to America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys® for 2019

January 2, 2019

Announcing the selection of Stephen M. Komie among America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys® for 2019. Selection to America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional White-Collar and General Criminal Defense Attorneys in throughout the nation.

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TAKEN: Despite reforms, burden still heavy on owners of seized property

By Karen Liu and Pam Dempsey/Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting; June 10, 2019

This story is part of a collaborative reporting initiative supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. See all the stories at taken.pulitzercenter.org.

A 2018 recreational brand vehicle, $500,000 in cash, a quarter and a red Bass Pro Shop baseball cap.

These are just a few of the thousands of items that Illinois police agencies have seized over the past decade under state and federal laws known as civil asset forfeiture. The laws allow the seizure of property without a criminal charge being filed or case being filed in court.

And they allow the police to keep and use the cash and property to finance for various expenses of the agencies, often without much oversight or disclosure on how the money is spent.

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In Illinois; Clemency Available for 0 to 30 Grams, Expungement Available for Convictions of 30 to 500 Grams

In Illinois; Clemency Available for 0 to 30 Grams, Expungement Available for Convictions of 30 to 500 Grams

By Stephen M. Komie ©

On June 25, 2019, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law a revision of the Illinois Cannabis Control Act, 720 ILCS 550.1 et seq. Commencing January 1, 2020, Illinois residents will be authorized to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis for usage as they desire. Non-residents do not have the same exception from the criminal penalties. Non-residents are limited to 15 grams. Between now and January 1, 2020 the law remains in effect prohibiting possession of marijuana except for persons who have Illinois Medical Marijuana Cards.

Illinois has an estimated 770,000 marijuana related criminal records which are now eligible for clemency by Governor Pritzker. Prior to January 1, 2020 expungements remain in effect for persons who received court supervision, or were not convicted, or had their case dismissed after a motion to suppress, or the prosecution declined to proceed. Those expungements remain available in the normal manner.

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