Prosecutors get murder defendant's X-rays

A Cook County judge has turned over to prosecutors and defense attorneys several chest X-rays of Matthew Zucco, charged with first-degree murder in the 2008 slaying of Joseph Ziegler.

During a hearing last month, Zucco's attorney Thomas Glasgow objected to the X-rays, arguing "improper protocol." He expanded that argument Thursday, saying Zucco submitted to multiple X-rays in quick succession, which placed his health at risk from increased radiation. Glasgow also argued that some X-rays were taken before his client was indicted, in violation of Supreme Court rules.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney David Weiner countered Wednesday that Cook County Jail personnel took the X-rays as part of the routine intake process to screen new inmates for tuberculosis.

Prosecutors sought release of the X-rays because they believe bullet fragments may have lodged in Zucco's chest following the shooting death of 19-year-old Ziegler in his Hoffman Estates home.

Zucco, of the 8000 block of Applewood Court in Hanover Park, and co-defendant Clinton Johnson, of the 100 block of Crestwood Drive in Streamwood, have been charged with first-degree murder.

Authorities say Zucco, 21, and Johnson, 23, entered Ziegler's house the morning of Sept. 4, 2008, intending to rob him. Instead, they say Zucco shot the victim and he and Johnson fled, disposed of the gun and bullets in a sewer and burned their clothes in a firepit at Johnson's home.

Their arrests resulted from a tip that came from April's "Dial-A-Rock" drug sweep in the Northwest suburbs.

Both men next appear in court on July 6.