State police lauded for saving evidence

The nation's top cops have bestowed a prestigious award upon the Illinois State Police employees who helped solve the Brown's Chicken murders.

Three members of Chicago Forensic Science Center have been named as the first recipients of the August Vollmer Excellence in Forensic Science Award in the category of Significant Investigative Value in a Major Crime. The trio received the prize this week at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in New Orleans.

Illinois State Police forensic scientists Cecilia Doyle, Debora Depczynski and the late Barbara Wilson discovered DNA traces on a discarded chicken bone found at the Brown's crime scene.

The evidence led to the May conviction of Juan Luna, one of two men charged in the grisliest murders in suburban history.

"The recognition of our personnel for their outstanding efforts and hard work in one of the most horrific murder cases in Illinois history is honorable and appreciated," state police Director Larry G. Trent said in a prepared statement. "The experience, knowledge and dedication these individuals bring to forensics and law enforcement is invaluable."

Luna and his high school pal Jim Degorski were arrested in May 2002 after DNA linked Luna to a discarded chicken dinner found in a trash bin inside the Palatine restaurant. At the time the food was found in 1993, scientists had no way of testing such a small sample.

The bones sat in a freezer for five years, until the Chicago Forensic Center was able to extract the DNA source from a breast bone. Police initially used the findings to exonerate a local man who had confessed to the crime.

In 2002, Luna provided a sample to police, and his saliva was matched to the genetic material found on the chicken. The profile linked to Luna could match only 1 in 2.8 trillion people, experts said.

After Luna's murder trial, jurors said the DNA evidence played a key role in their decision to convict. They also relied upon a detailed videotaped confession and a partial palm print found at the scene.

Luna has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the fatal shootings of the restaurant's two owners and five employees on Jan. 8, 1993. His attorneys are appealing.

Degorski is scheduled to stand trial early next year. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Degorski has pleaded not guilty to the crimes.