Not guilty plea for Chicago man in NW Ind. death

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — A not guilty plea has been entered for a 19-year-old Chicago man accused of fatally punching another teenager trying to break up a fight on a northwest Indiana beach on July Fourth.

James Malecek made his initial court appearance Thursday in LaPorte Superior Court. He is charged with aggravated battery, involuntary manslaughter and battery in the death of 17-year-old Kevin Kennelly of Chicago. Authorities say Kennelly died of blunt force trauma to the head two days after he was punched at Long Beach, about 30 miles southeast of Chicago.

Malecek remains free on $25,000 bond. Chief Deputy Prosector Robert Neary says Malecek is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 1.

A message seeking comment from Malecek’s attorney, Craig Braje, was left Thursday by The Associated Press.