Judge: No bail reduction for Joliet slaying defendant

JOLIET – A judge denied a bond reduction request Thursday for a Joliet man charged with murder.

Rodolfo Trujillo, 20, has been held in the Will County jail on a $1.5 million bond for nine months. Defense attorney Marzell Richardson told Judge Daniel Kennedy that Trujillo would live with his parents if he is released while awaiting trial.

On Nov. 8, 2015, Trujillo, Oracio Loera and Rudy Valdez began fighting outside Trujillo's residence in the 2900 block of Reflection Court. According to police reports, Trujillo was upset with Valdez over a $40 purchase of "bad marijuana."

Prosecutors said the men fought until Valdez got in his car and left, but Valdez returned to the scene and Trujillo ran up near the vehicle and stabbed Valdez multiple times in the stomach. Valdez, 25, staggered to a nearby yard and collapsed. He died the following day at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Trujillo allegedly admitted to stabbing Valdez to police. Loera has been charged with mob action and is awaiting trial.

Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Capelli told Kennedy the state police crime lab is preparing to examine fingerprints on evidence recovered during the investigation, but DNA testing will not be scheduled for at least two months.