On July 31, the State Attorney’s Office set the charges on Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. to second degree murder not premediated. The same goes for his father and all the other suspects.
According to asst. State Attorney Greg Marcille, the second degree is the highest charge that their office can set prior to going to the grand jury. State law requires that the open counts of murder be changed after a certain period of time.
Only a grand jury can set the charges as first degree murder.
