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Second 2002 Johnsburg murder trial set for October

The second trial of Mario Casciaro for the 2002 murder of Johnsburg teen Brian Carrick has been moved from July to October because additional DNA and fingerprint tests are still pending.

A trial earlier this year of Casciaro, 29, resulted in a hung jury and a second trial was tentatively scheduled for July 30.

McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather set Oct. 22 as the new trial date after a hearing Thursday in which attorneys learned that tests were still pending on additional blood spots found in the produce cooler at Val's Finer Foods in December 2002.

At the February trial, Shane Lamb, 27, of Lake Bluff, testified that Casciaro called Lamb and wanted the pair to go talk to Carrick. All three worked at the store.

Carrick had been selling marijuana for Casciaro and owed him $400.

Lamb, who was facing a 15-year prison term for cocaine charges, cut a deal with prosecutors in exchange for a 6-year term and testimony against Casciaro. Lamb testified that he lost his temper and punched Carrick, who fell backward and hit his head on the concrete floor of a walk-in cooler.

Lamb, who is out of prison now, said Casciaro told him to leave and that he doesn't know what happened next.

Carrick's body has not been found.

Defense attorney Brian Telander also wants three fingerprints on a bleach container found in the cooler also tested.

“I think it's important to see whose prints they are,” Telander said Thursday. “Who knows what we'll find.”

Prosecutors argue Casciaro is legally responsible for Lamb's actions, which resulted in Carrick's death, even if Casciaro only meant to scare Carrick into paying him the $400 he owed.

Casciaro is free on bond while his case is pending.

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Brian Carrick
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