DNA test results delay Mount Prospect murder case

A delay in getting DNA test results from a bloody knife and another item found at the crime scene are holding up court proceedings in the July 2010 murder case of Jean Wettecamps of Mount Prospect, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors told Judge Kay Hanlon Monday that the Illinois State Police Crime Lab won’t have the DNA test results ready until February.

After the court hearing, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Clarke declined to explain the delay in further detail.

Judge Hanlon expressed frustration that the case hasn’t made any progress in 1½ years and not even a single pretrial motion has been filed. She set a Dec. 2 court date during which she expects to add some pretrial hearing dates to the calendar.

Marko Guardiola, 38, of Elk Grove Village, and Edwin Paniagua, 17, of unincorporated Elk Grove Township, are both charged with the first-degree murder of Wettecamps, 52, a baggage manager for American Airlines.

Police said Wettecamps met the two suspects at the Colony Apartments swimming pool and bought them lunch. Later, he was found dead on his living room couch, tied up with computer cords. Police said he had been stabbed eight times and that the knife was found sticking out of his back.

Both suspects have been held in jail without bond since being arrested.