Dan Rozek An Addison woman charged with slashing the throat of her 3-year-old son initially told police two masked intruders attacked her and the youngster in their apartment, DuPage County authorities said. But when police questioned Sameera Samreen’s injured son about his 2-1/2-inch long neck wound, he told a different story. “He said his mommy […]
Charge dropped in Sacred Heart fire
No case: With confession inadmissible, prosecutors can’t tie 15-year-old to blaze David R. Kazak AURORA – Kane County prosecutors dropped their case Thursday against a 15-year-old Aurora boy accused of starting the blaze that destroyed Sacred Heart Church last December. Sixteenth Circuit Court Judge Barry Puklin dismissed the case after prosecutors told him they would […]
Defense Requests Fired Kane Co Jail Officers Records
Josh Stockinger The attorney for a Kane County jail official accused of driving drunk wants Geneva police brass to turn over records explaining why an officer involved in his client’s arrest has been fired. Appearing in court Friday, defense attorney David Camic said he intends to subpoena the Geneva Police and Fire Commission for personnel […]
Downtown bartender acquitted of two felony drug charges
Bill Catching Geneva A Kane County jury deliberated an hour before acquitting the bartender of a downtown Aurora bar of two felony drug charges earlier this week. Beverly K. Bugbee, 47, of the 900 block of Sheffer Road, Aurora, was acquitted of one count each of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and permitting unlawful […]
Edwardsen says he wanted to get back at the world
Adam Kovac St. Charles An Elgin man launched violent assaults on people and cats because he wanted to get back at the world, according to court testimony Wednesday. Edward W. Edwardsen Jr., 20, is charged with attempted murder, animal torture and other offenses for knife attacks on two people and mutilating three cats between Sept. […]
Elgin father acquitted in infant girls death
Robin Anne Roe A 25-year-old Elgin man sobbed when a Kane County jury found him not guilty late Thursday of first-degree murder in the shaking death of his infant daughter. Attorneys for the defendant, Keith Townsend, did not dispute that Townsend was watching his daughter in her mother’s apartment on January 4, 1996. Nor did […]
Elusive motorist still fit to be tried
Frank Callahan GENEVA – A St. Charles man accused of causing a fatal Christmas Day traffic accident will be tried a second time. Whether he shows up or not. David K. Vandeveire, 35, of 3N252 Happy Hills Road, was tried in absentia last week in Kane County Circuit Court on a charge of reckless homicide. […]
Ex Elgin Cop Guilty of Beating Handcuffed Suspect
Josh Stockinger A former Elgin police officer was found guilty Thursday of attacking a handcuffed man suspected in a New Year’s Day brawl in which the officer’s father was severely beaten. Chris Darr, 32, who resigned from the Elgin Police Department June 20, was ordered to pay $500 in fines and fees and was given […]
Ex Fox Valley man freed after court cites trial delay in murder case
Hal Dardick A man convicted three years ago of stabbing his girlfriend to death has been set free from prison based on an Appellate Court determination that he was denied his right to a speedy trial, authorities confirmed Tuesday. Zakii Wahiid, 44, formerly of Aurora, who was convicted of first degree murder in December 1996 […]
Ex husband first witness vs Lemak
Prosecution to open today after alternate jurors selected Dan Rozek The father of three slain Naperville children is scheduled to be the first witness today when DuPage County prosecutors open their case against his ex-wife, Marilyn Lemak. Dr. David Lemak is expected to testify about his ex-wife’s moods and actions in the hours and days […]
Ex Marmion priest faces sex charge
Nina Bernardi and Frank Callahan GENEVA – A Marmion Abbey priest was indicted Tuesday on charges that he sexually abused a former Marmion Military Academy student. The Rev. Augustine K. Jones, 71, was indicted by a Kane County grand jury on four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The charges stem from an incident that […]
Former Genoa Mayor Acquitted
Dean Curtis Genoa- Former Genoa Mayor Dave Rood was acquitted by 16th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Douglas Engel Tuesday afternoon on all counts filed against him by a DeKalb County grand jury. The grand jury charged Rood Aug. 14, 200 with the unlawful restraint, criminal sexual abuse and battery of former Genoa resident Kimberly D. […]