Lake County Black Lives Matter co-founder going to jail on contempt charge: ‘They said I was trying to incite a riot’

Black Lives Matter in Lake County had to scrap plans this year for a traditional Thanksgiving turkey and ham giveaway, along with taking underserved children on a school-break field trip, because its co-founder Clyde McLemore is headed to jail to serve a negotiated 40-day sentence for contempt of court, starting Wednesday.

The misdemeanor charge stemmed from his taking cell phone photos during a Lake County court hearing in August and posting them on social media. McLemore, 65, also posted a video admitting to the breach in protocol. Although he had a press pass, he was not properly credentialed through court services, authorities said.

Standing orders for the county’s courtrooms do not permit photography unless authorized by the presiding judge The hearing involved former Waukegan police officer Dante Salinas, who faces second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in the October 2020 shooting death of Marcellus Stinnette.

“It took nearly one year for this police officer to be charged, and it was a call for justice to the community,” McLemore said. “They said I was trying to incite a riot by posting the pictures, and telling people they need to wake up to what’s going on. Police shootings and wrongful convictions have not been addressed by the state’s attorney, as promised”

McLemore was seen taking the photos by a county State’s Attorney’s Office victim witness specialist. As a result, county prosecutors recused themselves and requested a special prosecutor be assigned to handle the case.

A statement, issued by Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, said, “Our office has a critical witness who is an employee, which led us to refraining from handling any hearings or trials. This was done to protect the integrity of the legal proceedings. This employee’s role as a witness did not affect our decision to charge Mr. McLemore, as the employee’s role was not that of a victim.

“We charged Mr. McLemore based on the circumstances surrounding his behavior,” Rinehart said. “After making this decision, we recused ourselves and handed the case over to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure transparency. This is consistent with our office’s protocols. We cannot comment any further on the details of this case.”

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said, “He (Rinehart) had a conflict of interest, so we accepted the case. The allegation was taking pictures in a closed courtroom. He was charged with contempt, pictures were posted. It was a negotiated plea. I’m happy to resolve this without a trial.”

Initially, prosecutors sought a sentence of six months in jail. Negotiations continued in McLemore’s absence because he was having health problems.

“I thought 150 days was too excessive,” McLemore’s defense attorney, ReneaRose Amen, said. “Negotiations with the state’s attorney arrived at 40 days.”

Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes presided over an Oct. 16 hearing to accept the plea agreement. The 40-day sentence carries a “day for day” provision, allowing release after 20 days for good behavior.