McHenry car dealer's arson trial on hold

The arson and fraud trial of a McHenry used car dealer accused of paying someone to torch his business has been postponed until August because of a scheduling conflict with a witness.

The delay comes one day after a former employee of John T. Krawec testified Thursday that he was paid more than $1,000 - with more promised to come his way - to set fire to the accused businessman's All Truck Stop in April 2006.

Krawec, 45, faces charges of residential arson, arson, insurance fraud and conspiracy stemming from the blaze which destroyed the dealership on Route 120 in McHenry, along with an apartment above it. Nobody was injured in the fire.

Authorities say Krawec paid former employee Phillip Brakefield to burn down his business in hopes of collecting about $529,000 in insurance proceeds - claims Krawec denies.

During an often testy cross-examination from Krawec's attorney Thursday, Brakefield admitted he initially lied to police about his role in the fire and is now testifying against his former boss only to avoid prosecution himself.

Krawec, who opted to have his trial heard by McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather instead of a jury, could receive up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of all charges.