NO BOND UPHELD IN BURR RIDGE HOMICIDE

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett   announced today that 45 year-old John Gilbert (d.o.b. 9/12/1963) of 4423 N. Parkside, Chicago will continue to be held in the DuPage County jail facing allegations that he shot and killed 38 year-old Jason D. Dragos of Highland, Indiana.  On February 9, 2009, Dragos’ body was discovered by a fellow employee at SAIA Trucking, a Burr Ridge company where both he and Gilbert worked.

            On March 7, 2009, Gilbert was arrested and charged with the m urder of Dragos.  The following day Gilbert appeared in bond court where Judge Peter Ostling ordered he be held without bond.  On May 14, 2009, Gilbert’s attorneys filed a motion to set bail.  This morning, Judge George Bakalis denied Gilbert’s motion to set bail because the defendant faces a possible natural life sentence.     

            “I would like to thank Judge Bakalis for upholding the Bond Court’s decision to deny bail to Mr. Gilbert,” remarked Birkett. 

First Degree Murder carries a minimum sentence of 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).  Based upon alleged aggravating factors, if convicted, Gilbert could face an extended term of up to 100 years or natural life.