Judge schedules Emanuel’s deposition in Jones, LeGrier lawsuits for March 29

Cook County Judge James O’Hara has set March 29 for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to be deposed in wrongful death suits stemming from the fatal shootings of Bettie Jones and Quintonio LeGrier.

O’Hara ruled that questions during the sworn testimony will be limited to three general areas: the Civilian Office of Police Accountability; conversations Emanuel had with the LeGrier and Jones families; and Emanuel’s prior statements on a “code of silence” in the Chicago Police Department.

The city does not want the deposition taken at the Daley Center — across the street from City Hall. A city attorney arguing against that location warned, “this is going to turn into a circus.”

O’Hara shot back: “And I’ll be the ringmaster.”

Emanuel has set aside three hours for the deposition, according to an email from a city attorney obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

An email sent Monday evening from Barrett Boudreaux — an attorney representing the city — to several other attorneys stated that Emanuel had set aside 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 29 to be deposed in the wrongful death lawsuits.

Mayoral spokesman Adam Collins declined to comment Monday night.

Last week, Judge O’Hara denied the city’s requests to limit Emanuel’s deposition time to 15 minutes.

Jones and LeGrier were fatally shot by Chicago Police Officer Robert Rialmo on Dec. 26, 2015.

LeGrier, 19, was wielding a bat when he was shot by Rialmo near the front door of his father’s two-flat in West Garfield Park. LeGrier, home on break from Northern Illinois University, suffered a mental health crisis that prompted both him and his father to call for help from police.

Jones, a downstairs neighbor, was killed by one of Rialmo’s errant gunshots.

Police Supt. Eddie Johnson will also offer sworn deposition. O’Hara scheduled it for March 15.

The judge is allowing both depositions to be videotaped.

The depositions will not be open to the public but will be admissible at trial.