Prosecutors appealing to allow texts, emails between ex-Fox Lake police lieutenant, widow in court

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- A big delay in the Melodie Gliniewicz case means it could be months until it goes before a jury. The trial was tentatively set for July 3.

Gliniewicz was in court Monday morning as her attorneys asked the judge to uphold his ban on text messages or emails between her and her late husband.

The judge agreed to that, saying those communications are protected by marital privilege laws, but prosecutors have decided to appeal that ruling. That means a different court will take up the issue. which could delay the trial anywhere from six to nine months.

Prosecutors allege Gliniewicz participated in her husband Joe Gliniewicz' scheme to take money from a youth policing program that he ran, using the money for personal expenses.

Lt. Joe Gliniewicz, who worked for the Fox Lake Police Department staged his own death back in 2015, initially making it look like he died in the line of duty as a hero.

Prosecutors believe his wife Melodie conspired to launder money from the youth program, but her attorneys argue she is being unfairly prosecuted for what her husband did.