The arraignment of George Kleopa, 33, on murder charges in connection to the shooting death of his live-in girlfriend was a swift affair Tuesday morning in a Markham courtroom.

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Cook County prosecutors say Kleopa fatally shot Michele Peters, 30, in the Chicago Heights home they shared with their two young sons in the early morning hours of March 6.

Michele Peters' family and friends say the young mom was planning to move with her children back to Hometown without Kleopa at the time of her death.

Kleopa has pleaded not guilty to six counts of felony murder before Judge James Rhodes, said Cook County State's Attorney's Office spokesman Andy Conklin.

Kleopa's case, which had been set in Cook County Judge Brian K. Flaherty's courtroom Tuesday, was reassigned to Rhodes' court.

Kleopa was given a $2 million D Bond in late July, which means he had to post 10 percent of it to be released. He posted a $200,000 bond and was released Aug. 10.

Kleopa's next court date has been scheduled for Oct. 4.

Michele's mother, Catherine Peters, who has been at every court appearance so far with her family, said she has another focus in addition to seeing justice served. She wants to gain custody of her grandchildren, 7-year-old Georgie and Alex, who will be two years old in November.

"We know we've got a good legal system and we've got full confidence in it," Peters told Patch Tuesday afternoon. "So I can concentrate on getting my boys back where they belong."

Peters said the boys are currently separated, with Georgie in California. Legal bills in what could become a tough custody battle are mounting, she added. The family is accepting donations at any Archer Bank in Illinois for the "Miracles for Michele" fund.

Anyone who would like more information about the fund may email Catherine Peters at catiepeters@yahoo.com.

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