John Granat Jr., Ill. teen accused of killing his parents, gets public defender after lawyer quits

(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - John Granat Jr., a suburban Chicago teenager accused of killing his parents with help from his friends, will be represented by a public defender after his lawyer stepped aside.

Pictures: Parents murdered, son and classmates charged

The Chicago Sun-Times reports attorney Rick Beuke on Wednesday told Cook County Circuit Judge Neil Linehan he would no longer represent Granat. He didn't elaborate on his reasons when questioned after the hearing.

The 18-year-old was charged with first-degree murder Sept. 13, 2011, two days after 42-year-old Maria Granat and 44-year-old John Granat were found dead in their bedroom in Palos Park, Ill. Authorities also charged three of the teen's friends in the couple's deaths.

Authorities contend Ganat's friends split the thousands of dollars they found in the Granat home and kept going to school for about a month before they were arrested and charged.

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