Posted by chicagomedia.org on August 06, 2009 at 14:04:37:
A son of legendary newspaper columnist Mike Royko was taken into custody today for failing drug tests while released on bond for a 2005 attempted bank robbery.
Robert Royko, 46, who pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in federal court in March, had been scheduled to be sentenced today. U.S. District Judge Wayne Andersen revoked Royko's bond and reset his sentencing for Sept. 3. He faces as many as 10 years in prison.
"There is no rancor in my heart. I think it's the best thing to do," Andersen said. "I'm saddened by the whole course of events."
Royko tested positive for marijuana three times in the last five months, prosecutors said. He missed two tests in July alone. Royko also has failed to show up for drug counseling, prosecutors said.
"What he's done since he pleaded guilty is get high," Assistant U.S. Atty. Patrick Pope said. "The time is over. He doesn't get to keep flouting the law."
Royko was arrested in April 2005 after he displayed what appeared to be a pipe bomb, donned a ski mask and demanded money from the Associated Bank at 6355 N. Central Ave. An off-duty police officer slapped the device out of his hand. It contained no explosives.
Andersen said he wished he had put Royko in custody years ago. "I'm convinced the mistake I made is [not realizing] that your life doesn't really begin until all this is behind you," Andersen said. "This is the day which starts ticking off the time."
Royko's attorney, Gerardo Gutierrez, said he will continue to appeal a judge's decision barring his client from raising a defense of diminished mental capacity at trial.
-- Kristen Mack