Smiling Face of Absent Attorney Sought by Judge, by Dan Churney, The Times, May 9, 2008

'Smiling Face' of Absent Attorney Sought by Judge

By Dan Churney
The Times
May 9, 2008

http://mywebtimes.com/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=358287

Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. wasn't smiling Thursday in court when he said he wanted to see Chicago attorney Stephen M. Komie's "smiling face."

Albert D. "Hook" Ford
Photo by La Salle County Jail

Komie is representing Streator defendant Albert D. "Hook" Ford in a case that began in August 2005. Ford is charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, being a felon in possession of a pistol, resisting police and domestic battery. He is free on $22,500 bond posted by Kandi Davis — who went to prison last month for cocaine and has Ford's initials tattooed on her arm — and Lisa Ford.

On Thursday, Komie was not present with Albert Ford, but instead sent another attorney from his firm, Eric J. Anderson. Anderson told Ryan that Komie was eager to wrap up the Ford matter, but has been busy with other cases, so he could not to go to trial Monday as scheduled.

Stephen Komie

"When am I going to see his smiling face?" Ryan asked Anderson, referring two more times in his ensuing conversation with Anderson to Komie's "smiling face." Ryan noted the 59-year-old Komie has not shown for the past several hearings, instead sending Anderson. Ryan also pointed out Ford's case is the oldest case pending in his courtroom.

One of the other cases taking up Komie's time is that of a former Jesuit priest from Oak Lawn facing child molestation charges in two states.

Prosecutor Pete Siena objected to Anderson's request for a delay, but Ryan agreed to cancel Monday's trial date and set a status hearing for Wednesday, June 4. The 24-year-old Ford wore a suit without tie in court Thursday and occasionally attends hearings for other defendants with whom he is associated. Police have said Ford is the leading drug dealer in Streator.