Sentencing delayed for man convicted of 1957 murder

The sentencing of a man convicted in the 1957 murder of a 7-year-old Sycamore girl has been postponed because pre-sentencing reports failed to reach defense attorneys in time.

A DeKalb County judge convicted 73-year-old Jack McCullough in September in Maria Ridulph’s death. The girl was murdered after she was snatched off a Sycamore street. McCullough, who was to be sentenced Friday, will be sentenced Dec. 10.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Clay Campbell said Friday that Judge James Hallock was correct in delaying sentencing, noting attorneys must receive the report at least three days before the hearing to assure information is accurate.

The pre-sentence report provides information for the judge to consider before sentencing. Campbell pointed out the delay was avoidable because the probation officer had 76 days to prepare the nine-page report.