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Ex-cop charged with threatening officials investigating Ill. cop’s slaying

Ex-cop allegedly threatened to harm people unless they declared the shooting of Lt. Charles Gliniewicz a suicide

Associated Press

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A retired Chicago police officer charged with threatening officials investigating the fatal shooting of a northern Illinois officer is scheduled to appear in court.

A Lake County judge in Waukegan is expected to ask Joseph A. Battaglia on Tuesday if he’s hired an attorney. At an initial hearing, Battaglia was told he doesn’t qualify for a public defender.

The 54-year-old was arrested Saturday at his Oak Lawn home on charges of felony disorderly conduct.

He allegedly threatened to harm a coroner and others unless they declared the shooting of Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz a suicide. Gliniewicz radioed on Sept. 1 that he was chasing three suspects before the shooting and his death prompted a large manhunt and ongoing investigation.

Battaglia remains jailed on $100,000 bond.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press