LITCHFIELD, Ill — The trial of a Montgomery County man who made multiple guest appearances on "American Pickers" has once again been delayed.
Jack Sophir, also known as ‘Hobo Jack’, was cited by the City of Litchfield in March 2022 for failing to maintain his property, accumulation of trash, and harboring rodents.
Editor's note: The above video aired on Nov. 9.
"It's accumulating way too much,” Gary Baker, Litchfield building inspector, said. “It's a nuisance."
The 91-year-old has pushed back against those claims as a matter of opinion.
"What they considered trash [was] my unrestored antiques,” Sophir said.
In March 2022, Baker cited Sophir for failing to maintain his property, accumulating trash and harboring rodents.
"He really did nothing to comply,” Baker said last month. “If anything he brought more stuff in."
During a Dec. 6 court appearance, Sophir’s request for a jury trial was denied by a Montgomery County judge.
Attorneys for the City of Hillsboro opposed the motion citing concerns that Sophir hadn’t paid the fees required for a jury trial and didn’t properly notify the court of his last-minute request.
A bench trial has been scheduled for February 2, 2024, after issues with Sophir’s hearing and courtroom audio contributed to yet another delay in the case.
"If they continue with their procedure to have a bench trial, [then] what I am going to do is refuse to participate in it,” Sophir told 5 on Your Side during a November 2023 interview.
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