Retired State Trooper Jailed on Murder Charge Gets New Court Date

A retired state trooper jailed since September for allegedly gunning down a man in a gas station parking lot was brought before a Cook County judge for a brief hearing Tuesday morning.

Dennis Joyner, 61, appeared before Judge Frank Zelezinski at the Markham courthouse.

Attorney Josh Niewoehner stepped up in place of Joyner's regular attorney, Sam Adam Jr. for the status hearing. Adam was in the midst of a jury trial, Niewoehner explained.

Judge Zelezinski set a May 23 date for Joyner to return to court.

Joyner, a Park Forest resident, allegedly shot a 40-year-old Chicago Heights man to death at a Mobil station on Lincoln Highway in September.

Joyner and the dead man, Robert Fortson, had argued prior to the shooting, police said. The dispute was reportedly over a rental property owned by Joyner.

After allegedly shooting Fortson mutliple times, Joyner reportedly set down his gun and waited for the law to arrive.

Joyner is being held without bond in the Cook County Jail.

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