Prosecutors: Prominent appellate attorney shot by brother-in-law

By: Erika Strebel, [email protected]//August 17, 2018//

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In this undated photo provided by Mayer Brown LLP shows attorney Steve Shapiro. Police say Shapiro, an attorney who argued 30 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, has been fatally shot during a domestic altercation inside his suburban Chicago home. The Cook County medical examiner's office says Shapiro died in the Monday night attack Aug. 13, 2018 in Northfield, Ill. Police haven't released the suspect's identity or the circumstances of the shooting.(Mayer Brown LLP via AP) — In this undated photo provided by Mayer Brown LLP shows attorney Steve Shapiro. Police say Shapiro, an attorney who argued 30 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, has been fatally shot during a domestic altercation inside his suburban Chicago home. The Cook County medical examiner’s office says Shapiro died in the Monday night attack Aug. 13, 2018 in Northfield, Ill. Police haven’t released the suspect’s identity or the circumstances of the shooting.(Mayer Brown LLP via AP)

SKOKIE, Ill. (AP) — The man accused of gunning down a prominent lawyer in his suburban Chicago home is being held without bond on murder charges.

John Gately III of Winnetka has been identified by authorities as the brother-in-law of the victim, 72-year-old Stephen Shapiro of Northfield. Authorities say the 66-year-old Gately also attempted to shoot his sister, Joan Shapiro.

Cook County prosecutors said Joan Shapiro had been providing Gately financial support, including paying his rent. However, the siblings argued over how he was handling the money.

Prosecutors allege Gately showed up at the Shapiros’ home late Monday and asked to see his sister. When Stephen Shapiro said she wasn’t available, Gately took out a .22-caliber weapon and shot the man. His gun misfired when he attempted to shoot his sister. She escaped and called police.

Stephen Shapiro was a former assistant solicitor general and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

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