Judge won't revoke teen's bail in homicide case

A Kane County judge denied prosecutors' motion to revoke bail Thursday for a St. Charles teen accused of violating the terms of her bond in a reckless homicide case, but expanded the jurisdiction where she faces random drug and alcohol tests.

Erika N. Scoliere, 19, now can be tested in Ohio, where she's attended the University of Dayton since her arrest last year in a South Elgin crash that killed 40-year-old Frank Ferraro. She has pleaded not guilty to DUI and reckless homicide charges.

Prosecutors sought to have Scoliere's bail revoked after learning recently that she had failed to make weekly, court-ordered telephone calls to the county's probation department for nearly a year.

Scoliere testified Thursday that she contacted the office, known as court services, immediately after being ordered to do so but was told the office would initiate further contact.

Pressed by Assistant State's Attorney Steve Sims as to whether she found it odd that nearly a year went by without hearing from court services, Scoliere said, "Yes, but I didn't think it was my fault."

Scoliere has been free on bond since she surrendered Sept. 17 on charges stemming from the July 2007 crash. Since then, she was granted requests to forego electronic monitoring, to live in an Ohio dormitory and to go on two vacations with her family. She also has attended all scheduled court appearances and met all other terms of her bond, her attorney, Sarah Toney, said.

On Thursday, the crash victim's sister, Denise Ferraro, expressed frustration that the teen would continue to have much of the same freedoms she's had so far, despite not meeting the terms of her release.

"She's trying to excuse her way out of everything," she said. "It's totally unfair."