Pretrial Motions Discussed in Adam Toledo Wrongful Death Case

Attorneys for both sides will continue going over evidence and ground rules ahead of the upcoming trial.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:12pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuffs lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the high-stakes nature of the upcoming trial.The upcoming trial over the police shooting death of Adam Toledo will shine a harsh light on issues of law enforcement accountability and community trust.Chicago Today

Attorneys for the family of Adam Toledo and the city of Chicago will be back in court on Tuesday to discuss pretrial motions in the wrongful death lawsuit filed over the 13-year-old's 2021 police shooting death. The case has been years in the making, with the family's attorney expecting a lengthy trial with around 90 witnesses. Jury selection is set to begin next week, with opening statements scheduled for April 20.

Why it matters

The death of Adam Toledo sparked outrage and protests over police use of force, especially involving minors. This high-profile trial will put a spotlight on the city's handling of the case and potentially set precedents around evidence and testimony that will be allowed. The outcome could have significant implications for police accountability and community relations.

The details

In the 2021 incident, Toledo was killed during a foot chase with Chicago police officer Eric Stillman in the city's Little Village neighborhood. Toledo's mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and Stillman in 2022. On Monday, the case was assigned to Cook County Law Division Presiding Judge Thomas Lyons after each side requested a change of judge. The attorneys will continue discussing ground rules and what evidence the jury will hear during the trial, which the family's lawyer expects to last a few weeks.

  • The case has been years in the making since Toledo's death in 2021.
  • On March 29, 2026, they marked five years since Toledo's death.
  • Jury selection is expected to begin next week, with opening statements scheduled for April 20, 2026.

The players

Adam Toledo

A 13-year-old boy who was killed in a 2021 police shooting incident in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, sparking outrage and protests.

Adeena Weiss Ortiz

The attorney representing Adam Toledo's family in the wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Chicago.

Eric Stillman

The Chicago police officer involved in the 2021 shooting incident that resulted in the death of Adam Toledo.

Thomas Lyons

The Cook County Law Division Presiding Judge who was assigned the case after each side requested a change of judge.

Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef

A member of the Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice who is advocating for justice for Adam Toledo and his family.

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What they’re saying

“We look forward to presenting facts and evidence to a jury.”

— Adeena Weiss Ortiz, Attorney for the Toledo family

“We want justice for Adam Toledo and his family. There's absolutely no reason for his family to go through this pain.”

— Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef, Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice

What’s next

Jury selection is expected to begin next week, with opening statements scheduled for April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

This high-profile trial over the police shooting death of a 13-year-old boy will put a spotlight on issues of police accountability and community relations in Chicago. The outcome could have significant implications, making it crucial that the proceedings are fair and transparent.