Trials set in 2 of 3 high-speed chases

Two motorists accused of leading police on high-speed chases — all resulting in immediate or subsequent injury to others — have trial dates. A third is on hold while he tries to get the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case.

Brad Johnson, 39, of 9728 Snyder Ave., Machesney Park, entered pleaded innocent Friday to unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution and three counts of aggravated battery.

Those charges were filed after he was arrested after an April 9 high-speed chase from Tonica to Ottawa. While in custody at the La Salle County Jail, he used a shank to injure two corrections officers, police said. He will stand trial July 12.

On Thursday, Jaquaya Roy, 23, of 1110 N. Crescent Road, Bloomington, Indiana, pleaded innocent to one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding. She is accused of leading police on a 100-mph pursuit through Earlville and a Mendota neighborhood. Earlville police officer Jesus Alonzo fractured two vertebrae in a crash while responding.

Roy, who posted bond and is out of custody, will stand trial July 26 and will next appear July 15.

The holdout is James Tracy, 38, of Thomson, who was indicted earlier this week on two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding plus aggravated assault after an April 26 pursuit from Lostant to Utica. Prosecutors allege he drove at a police officer who was hurt jumping to safety.

Tracy used his two court appearances to rant about government conspiracies and to demand a change of venue to the U.S. Supreme Court. Tracy is for now representing himself and his judge, in hopes of keeping the case on track, offered to appoint him counsel while he searches for a private attorney.

“Why don’t I do that, OK?” asked Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.

“No,” Tracy shot back.

Ryan merely set a May 20 status hearing to revisit Tracy’s representation to try to get him on the trial call.