Trial may be delayed by lab results

An unexpected delay might push back the trial of one of two Elgin men charged in the murder of Streamwood teen Anthony Brown.

Daniel Vargas' trial is still set to begin Nov. 5, the one-year anniversary of Brown's death.

But several DNA and fingerprint lab reports are still incomplete, and the defense might not have enough time to review them.

The setback angered Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta.

"It's the same song-and-dance, and I'm sick of it," he said. "I keep hearing the same nonsense."

The judge ordered all the concerned lab technicians to appear in court Friday, and he wants everything done by then.

"I don't care if you have to send the investigator there and subpoena them," Fecarotta said.

David Luna of Elgin, who's also charged in the murder of 17-year-old Brown, appeared in court along with Vargas Monday to withdraw motions to quash his arrest and suppress evidence. He and Vargas will have separate trials. Luna is to appear in court next on Oct. 22.

Vargas's attorney last month made the same motions, but they were denied.

Vargas addressed the court and said he wants to hire a new lawyer. He made the same request at a previous court appearance, but the judge postponed his decision.

Fecarotta said Vargas' prospective new lawyer had better be in court Friday as well.

Authorities' accounts have painted Brown as an innocent bystander in a drug deal gone awry.

Prosecutors say Vargas and Luna tried to buy marijuana from a man named "Little Joe." When "Little Joe" hadn't returned with the drugs an hour later, Vargas and Luna stormed his house.

Police say Brown, who was hanging out with a number of friends there, tried to calm the situation. Vargas responded by shooting him multiple times, prosecutors say.