Alleged Joliet cop car shooter's bond reduced

JOLIET – A Joliet man charged with opening fire on an unmarked Joliet police car didn’t receive his requested bond reduction to get out of jail, according to court records.

D’Amonta Barber, 18, of the 1400 block of Liberty Meadow Drive requested his $1 million bond be reduced to $30,000. Barber’s attorney, Cosmo Tedone, said in a motion that the bond amount was oppressive, inconsiderate of his ability to pay it and in violation of state law.

On Tuesday, a Will County judge agreed to lower
Barber's bond to $500,000, of which he will need
10 percent to post bail, according to court records. Another motion filed by Tedone to preserve police evidence in the case was granted with conditions.

A call to Tedone on Thursday afternoon was not immediately returned.

Barber has been charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm in connection with an incident Jan. 31 where he and Christopher Madison, 21, of the 7800 block of South Muskegon Street in Chicago allegedly fired a shot at an unmarked police car on Liberty Meadow Drive. Both Barber and Madison were arrested at the Will County courthouse and jailed on $1 million bonds. Barber is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 1.

Madison is being represented by the Will County Public Defender’s Office. Michelle Palaro, the office’s spokeswoman, said they haven’t received copies of the police reports yet and Madison will be formally arraigned on Feb. 23.

Three other men between the ages of 18 and 21 were also arrested by Joliet police in the 1400 block of Liberty Meadow on suspicion of aggravated discharge of a firearm charge, according to police records.

All three were released without charge.