Cameras Allowed At Trial Of Man Charged With Killing Mother In Burr Ridge
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A DuPage County judge will allow cameras in the courtroom for the trial of a man charged with killing his mother in the parking lot of a church in Burr Ridge last month.
WBBM Newsradio's Dave Berner reports the attorney for 27-year-old Michael Bassaly argued his client's safety would be jeopardized by allowing cameras to cover the proceedings.
Bassaly is an Egyptian national, and because of the unrest in his homeland, his attorney claimed images of the trial might prompt violence against his family.
Cameras Allowed At Trial Of Man Charged With Killing Mother
Judge Daniel Guerin asked if there had been any specific threats, and the defense had none to offer, so the judge agreed to allow cameras for the duration of the trial, as well as Friday's arraignment, where Bassaly pleaded not guilty.
He is charged with first-degree murder in the death of his mother, 61-year-old Yvonne Zaky Bassaly.
He allegedly shot her in the head in the back seat of his Cadillac, while parked in the lot of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Burr Ridge on Aug. 29.
Prosecutors have said Michael Bassaly confessed to being involved in an illegal scheme involving fake applications for asylum, and was being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
He allegedly confessed that he feared he would be arrested soon, and planned to kill his mother and himself. Prosecutors said his mother suggested they go to the church to pray. He allegedly told police his mother wanted him to shoot her, but contradicted himself in a confession letter, in which he said he planned to shoot her to protect her from the federal investigation.
Bassaly is being held without bond, and is due back in court on Oct. 18.
