Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover asked a federal judge Friday to recuse himself from Hoover’s bid for a sentencing break, one week after the judge challenged Hoover’s attorney in open court by asking “how many murders is he responsible for?”
Defense attorneys Jennifer Bonjean and Justin Moore argued in a new 13-page motion that U.S. District Judge John Blakey showed “actual bias” toward Hoover by asking that question. They said it “assumed that [Hoover] had committed uncharged murders,” and they said the judge pressured Bonjean into disclosing them.
They also called the question “wildly out of bounds” and pointed to news reports about it. They specifically highlighted the Sept. 27 front page of the Chicago Sun-Times, which quoted the judge over a photo of Hoover.
The defense attorneys noted that Blakey, in asking his question, stressed that Bonjean should answer it “as an officer of the court” — a reminder of her duty to tell the truth. They also complained that Blakey suggested Bonjean ask Hoover for the answer, noting that “he probably has the most knowledge of all.”
Hoover participated in the hearing by video.
Blakey, a former prosecutor, has spent a decade on the bench since his 2014 nomination by President Barack Obama. He also presides over the corruption case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, which goes to trial next week.
Hoover’s attorneys argue he should get a new sentencing hearing under the First Step Act, a 2018 law signed by President Donald Trump. That prompted the rare public appearance by Hoover in Blakey’s courtroom.
The former gang leader has spent decades serving a life sentence in the so-called supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.
Hoover was convicted of murder after a trial in December 1973, and a judge sentenced him to 150 to 200 years in state prison. That didn’t stop Hoover from running the gang, though. The late U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber handed the gang leader his life sentence in 1998 following his conviction for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.
Hoover would still have to serve his state-court sentence if his federal sentence is undone. Still, the hearing in Blakey’s courtroom was seen as a potential step toward his freedom. But Bonjean seemed taken aback during arguments when Blakey asked her how many murders she’d lay at her 73-year-old client’s feet.
She initially said she wasn’t sure how to answer. She wasn’t sure how to properly count. She sarcastically suggested that Hoover is responsible for every murder ever committed by a member of the Gangster Disciples.
Ultimately, she said, “I would like to answer that question.”
The judge gave her 11 days — until Monday — to do it.