Attorney Chuck Bretz Cuts Ties With Joliet Murder Defendant

JOLIET, IL — Since Oct. 28, Joliet resident Jorge Rosas Jr. has remained in the Will County Jail facing a $6 million bail and first-degree murder charges in connection with the Oct. 26 deadly shooting of 25-year-old Omar Perez-Garcia. The young man from Romeoville was killed inside his car parked in the 100 block of Seeser Street, in the St. Pat's Area of Joliet.

The shooting happened around midnight.

Following his arrest, the 42-year-old Rosas hired private counsel, downtown Joliet's most prolific criminal defense lawyer, attorney Chuck Bretz of Bretz, Flynn & Associates.

Now, several months later, Bretz has severed ties with Rosas, who Joliet Patch previously reported has been involved in cocaine dealing and being a 2-6 street gang member as recently as 2014, according to Will County prosecutors.

Bretz filed a motion to withdraw as the attorney of record for Rosas.

According to Bretz's motion, "Jorge Rosas Jr. has substantially failed to fulfill his obligation as to the fees agreed upon, between himself and the law firm of Bretz, Flynn & Associates for representation of him/her in the above referenced matters.

"That Jorge Rosas Jr. has been given reasonable warning that the law firm would withdraw as counsel unless the obligation is fulfilled."

Bretz notified the judges that "Jorge Rosas Jr.'s obligation to the law firm regarding services remains substantially unfilled" and "that a breakdown in communication has arisen between the defendant and defendant's counsel."

In closing, Bretz wrote: "in light of the above, counsel cannot effectively represent the interests of the defendant."

Bretz's motion to withdraw his law firm as the attorney of record for the Joliet murder defendant was granted by Will County Circuit Judge Daniel Rippy.

"The firm is relieved of any further obligations as to these matters," court files show.

For now, Rosas is representing himself in his Joliet first-degree murder case. He has expressed interest to the court about finding another private practice law firm to represent him.

Back in December 2012, southwest of his Joliet home, police recovered 275 grams of cocaine, a loaded .38 gun "which he admits he traded coke for and uses for protection with dealing drugs," the Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow notified the judge in 2014.

At the time of his 2012 arrest, Rosas was also charged with possession of a stolen gun, a Colt revolver, court records indicate.

Original Joliet Patch story: Recent Murder In Joliet Solved: Police