Jury trial over Joliet triple murder case delayed

A jury trial for a man charged with using a flare gun to cause a Joliet house fire that killed an infant and two women was delayed on Monday.

The trial for Andy Cerros, 20, was scheduled to begin Monday but his case was pushed to Thursday because no custodies are being brought over to court, according to Will County State’s Attorney spokeswoman Carole Cheney.

The next court date for Cerros has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Cerros’ attorney Blake Stone did not immediately respond to a call Monday seeking comment on the delay of the trial.

Last week, Kathy Hoffmeyer, Will County Sheriff spokeswoman, said no inmates from the Will County jail would be taken to the new courthouse for two weeks after four correctional officers in the court holding area tested positive for COVID-19. Other officers and staff who worked in the area were sent home to quarantine and test for the virus.

Cerros and Manuel Escamilla, 21, have been charged with the murder of Regina Rogers, 28, Rogers' 11-month-old daughter, Royalty Rogers, and Jacquetta Rogers, 29.

The two woman and infant were killed in a house fire on June 3, 2017, at 16 N. Center St. Prosecutors charged Escamilla and Cerros with causing the fire with a flare gun in an attempt to kill Rakeem "Rocky" Venson, who managed to escape by jumping out a window of the home.

Prosecutors said Venson and Escamilla belong to rival street gangs and the motive for the arson was related to an ongoing gang-related feud.

Eric Raya, 22, was also charged with murder and arson in connection with the incident but prosecutors dropped those charges after he agreed to testify against Cerros and Escamilla.

Raya also agreed to plead guilty to obstructing justice for allowing Escamilla to drive off in his Chrysler Pacifica with a flare gun. Prosecutors have since petitioned to have Raya’s probation revoked after his arrest in Summit on charges of armed robbery, aggravated battery and mob action.

Escamilla’s next court appearance is slated for Dec. 11 for the setting of his upcoming trial, court records show.