Sisto Brito – charged with murdering a man last year in McCook – will remain in Cook County Jail after a judge on April 9 denied his attorney’s request that he be released from custody with electronic monitoring.
Brito, 33, of Chicago, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder after he allegedly shot and killed one man and injured another following an argument and fistfight early Feb. 17, 2024.
Morales Ricardo Lopez, of Blue Island, died that night. His friend, Daniel Nava Jr., was shot in the head but survived.
Brito’s attorney, Damon Cheronis, made a case before Cook County Circuit Judge John “Terry” Gallagher for Brito’s release that would have him wearing an ankle bracelet.
After noting the charges against Brito “don’t get any more serious,” Cheronis said that Brito “has no criminal record” and was working as an Uber driver at the time of the incident.
If released, Brito would stay at home “under the watchful eye of his wife and children,” Cheronis said.
Details about that fateful night were discussed in court by Cheronis and assistant state’s attorney Amanda Pillsbury.
Cheronis said Brito was “viciously attacked for no reason” by Lopez, Nava and a third man in the parking lot of a bar on 47th Street in McCook.
Videotape from surveillance cameras show the three men “their hands raised and hitting him,” Cheronis said. Brito was also “kicked in the face.”
He then noted that the “alleged victims do have criminal backgrounds,” adding that their “nicknames are Crazy and Rowdy.”
Cheronis said Brito “would not flee” and will show up in court “to defend himself.”
Brito, who said nothing to the judge during his court appearance, briefly talked with Cheronis before leaving the courtroom flanked by a sheriff’s deputy.
Brito wore eyeglasses. His hair was cut shorter than during his March appearance in court. He had a full beard and had on the tan Department of Corrections coveralls worn by prisoners at Cook County Jail.
After Cheronis pleaded his case, Pillsbury told Judge Gallagher why the request for release should be denied.
She said that Brito did not act in self-defense, as Cheronis had said. Rather, he “became the aggressor” when he allegedly chased after Lopez and Nava, she said.
A third man, she said, ran north on Joliet Avenue from 47th Street while Lopez and Nava ran south toward Joliet Road.
She said that Brito followed Lopez and Nava in his car, a red Tesla. He shot Nava, who fell to the ground.
He then gave chase to Lopez, shooting him twice.
Lopez’ widow, Ana, who was weeping during Pillsbury’s recounting, then briefly left the courtroom to compose herself.
Police found seven 9mm casings on the scene, and recovered a magazine with five rounds from Brito’s Tesla, Pillsbury said.
Self-defense, she told Gallagher, does not mean “active retaliation” adding “he is the aggressor.”
Pillsbury is seeking Nava’s medical records.
While Gallagher said that “there’s no question there are two sides to every story,” he also said the evidence provided by the state was solid enough to prevent his approving the release of Brito.
Cheronis can appeal the ruling, Gallagher said.
Gallagher ruled that Brito must stay in jail, and set the next status hearing in Room 110 at the Bridgeview Courthouse for 9:30 a.m. May 13.
After Wednesday’s status hearing, members of Brito’s family and members of Lopez’ family declined to comment after huddling with the lawyers.
In March, after the previous status hearing, Ana Lopez said, “I’m just trusting in God.”