Algonquin murder suspect to get visits from school principal, minister
- Article
- Photos (1)
An Algonquin boy jailed on charges he murdered his father will be allowed visits from his high school principal, a school counselor and a youth minister, a Kane County judge ruled Thursday.
Defense attorney Brian Telander said several adults who are familiar with his client, 16-year-old David Szalonek, have expressed interest in visiting him, which "could be good for his mental health."
"We want to get somebody in there he knows," Telander said.
Szalonek, who may have a form of autism, according to his attorney, has been held at the Juvenile Justice Center in St. Charles since the Feb. 8 shooting death of his father, Brian, in the family home on the 1400 block of Westbourne Parkway. He is accused of firing a single shotgun blast to his father's head.
Telander said the teen is allowed two 30-minute visits a week, typically with his mother and attorney. He said a counselor approved for visits by Judge Thomas E. Mueller last month since has had a family emergency and is currently unavailable.
With no objection from the prosecutors, Mueller ruled that Jacobs High School Principal Michael Bregy be allowed visits along with school counselor and local youth minister.
Szalonek, who is being held on $2.5 million bond, returns to court April 12.
