Man gets 35 years for murder of friend’s parents in 2011

A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in the murder of his friend’s parents in southwest suburban Palos Heights in 2011.

Mohammed Salahat, who was 17 at the time of the killings, pleaded guilty to one count of murder Jan. 28 at the Bridgeview courthouse, according to Cook County court records. Several other charges against him were dropped in a plea agreement.

Salahat, of Chicago Ridge; along with John Granat Jr. of Palos Heights, Christopher Wyma of Bridgeview, and Ehab Qasem of Hickory Hills were charged with the murders of Granat’s parents, John Granat Sr. and Maria Granat, authorities said at the time. Granat and Wyma were 17 at the time; Qasem was 19.

Police found the couple dead in the bedroom of their home in the 12700 block of South 81st Court in unincorporated Palos Heights on Sept. 11, 2011, after their son called 911.

Granat Jr. was charged days after the murders when his alibi fell apart, authorities said at the time. His friends continued attending Stagg High School in Palos Hills, and Oak Lawn Community High School for about another month before they were arrested and charged.

Granat and his friends split thousands of dollars they found in the home after the murders, prosecutors said.

Judge Neil Linehan sentenced Salahat to 35 years in prison on Monday, according to court records. He will receive credit for 1,685 days served in the Cook County Jail.

Granat and Wyma are next scheduled to appear in court May 24, and Qasem is next scheduled to appear in court May 9.