Teen again denied release in fatal stabbing of Sycamore classmate Kaleb McCall

SYCAMORE – A former Sycamore teenager will remain held without release pending trial on adult first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of classmate Kaleb D. McCall, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Hamza Khatatbeh, 16, is charged with first-degree murder, armed violence and aggravated battery, in the Sept. 7, 2023, fatal stabbing of his Sycamore High School peer. McCall, who had just entered his senior year, died from a single stab wound to the chest, authorities have said.

Associate Judge Stephanie Klein, who is presiding over the case after Khatatbeh’s defense lawyer, Jim Ryan, successfully appealed for a judge change, denied Ryan’s request for his client’s release.

In her ruling, Klein said Khatatbeh’s release would pose a risk to the public and wouldn’t prevent him from accessing weapons such as knives, which she said was used to stab McCall. She said a GPS-monitoring device also would be insufficient.

“The court notes that electronic home monitoring is not real time monitoring and that it is unfortunately not all that difficult for individuals to cut off their electronic monitoring devices,” Klein said Tuesday.

Throughout the hearing, Khatatbeh, who attended virtually from River Valley Juvenile Justice Center in Joliet, appeared alert and responsive. Almost a dozen of McCall’s loved ones, including his parents, sat together to watch the proceedings in Klein’s courtroom.

Shaw Local News Network has identified the teenager since his adult court details are accessible in public DeKalb County court records. If convicted of the Class M felony, Khatatbeh faces at least 20 years in prison.

The judge also said records shared with court officials from River Valley Juvenile Justice Center, where Khatatbeh has been held since his September 2023 arrest, show he’s attacked fellow center residents at least four times and verbally threatened another since he arrived. Her statements echoed what Circuit Court Judge Joseph Pedersen said in his October ruling which ordered Khatatbeh’s case moved out of juvenile court into adult court.

Klein said special prosecutor Derek Dion argued the teenagers had not met each other before the stabbing in downtown Sycamore.

Police have said the stabbing was precluded by an argument between two groups of teenagers. McCall had come from the Culver’s in Sycamore where he worked with his grandmother, prosecutors said. Khatatbeh allegedly used a 6-inch knife, which as of Tuesday has not been recovered by police, Klein said.

Since the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office brought adult charges against Khatatbeh this month, prosecutors have sought to keep the teenager detained under the SAFE-T Act. Khatatbeh’s defense attempted to get the teen released, not for the first time.

Klein said Dion argued Khatatbeh was accused of stabbing someone he’s never met in a public place with unjustified deadly force. Ryan argued his client felt threatened by McCall and two teenaged girls, and had acted in self defense. McCall was not armed when he was stabbed, prosecutors have said.

Ryan told the judge he intends to file a request to have Khatatbeh’s adult court records sealed and prevent further public release, saying his client is a minor. Ryan pointed to media coverage which has since published Khatatbeh’s name, citing public court records.

“I also am unaware of any authority this court would have to treat this defendant differently from any other defendant charged with a CF [criminal felony] case,” Klein said. “But if there’s a motion, I am sure that the legal authority will be provided and looked into.”

Khatatbeh’s next court date is 11 a.m. on Feb. 5. Dion said prosecutors hope to have an indictment by then.