Jury finds teen guilty of Villa Park man's murder

Ray A. Moore didn't touch James Keniski, but the teen is accountable for the Villa Park man's fatal beating for taking part in a "crime tornado" that struck that night.

After 3.5 hours of deliberations, a DuPage County jury convicted the Chicago teen late Thursday of first-degree murder, home invasion, residential burglary and robbery.

Moore, 19, did not outwardly react. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison when sentenced, as early as Sept. 28.

Violence erupted May 16, 2007, after four unarmed Chicago men, including Moore, arrived at Keniski's home on the 0-100 block of North Addison Road.

Keniski, 46, did not know the men, but he let them inside because they had a mutual friend who sold drugs to the Villa Park man.

The group planned to rob Keniski, prosecutors said, and it turned physical when one defendant, Semaj Walker, 23, pushed the victim over a banister, causing him to fall 10 feet. Walker also is accused of repeatedly kicking Keniski, who suffered up to 16 rib fractures, a torn liver and severe head trauma.

Keniski languished in a coma and died several days later.

Moore did not have a prior violent criminal record. He did not testify during his trial. His attorney, Matthew McQuaid, argued Moore thought the group was going to sell Keniski drugs, not rob him.

"This is the handiwork of one man - Semaj Walker," McQuaid said. "To hold Ray Moore legally responsible is morally wrong and it's not administering justice."

The victim's wife testified Moore was the one who sat with her in a bedroom watching "American Idol" as the rest of the group hung out with her husband in the kitchen. Keena Keniski said Moore, initially friendly, later demanded cash and credit cards after she asked about the noise coming from the other room.

Police arrested the first young man, Joshua J. Gordon, that same night. He led detectives to the other suspects. Gordon, 21, testified Moore was well aware of the robbery plan.

In March, Gordon was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to felony home invasion. As part of his plea deal, Gordon gets out after serving half the term. His plea hinged on his truthful testimony against the others.

Another defendant, Dywayne D. Head, 20, is serving a 20-year prison term. He also will be paroled after serving half the term. Walker's case still is pending.

Moore was on the lam for six weeks before he surrendered.

"If he didn't do anything and was merely present, why didn't he go in and tell the truth?" asked prosecutor Steven Knight, who called the group a "crime tornado." "If you go out and commit a robbery, and someone dies, you're responsible for every cut, every bruise, every bump and every busted bone."

McQuaid questioned Keena Keniski's reliability since she admitted drinking up to 12 beers that night. McQuaid said Gordon, to get a favorable sentence, had a strong motive to lie.

Under Illinois law, a person is accountable for the conduct of another if they knowingly solicit, abet, or attempt to aid another in the planning or commission of an offense.

The prosecution team - Knight, Bernard Murray and Bob Stanker - said Moore played an active role in the crime. They said Moore helped plan the robbery, let Walker drive his mother's van to Villa Park and prohibited the victim's wife from helping her husband.

Moore took a gamble at trial. He turned down an earlier plea deal of 17 years at 50 percent. He now must serve 100 percent of whatever punishment Circuit Judge Peter J. Dockery deems appropriate.