Nun's trial raises questions

Verdicts in court cases are always a sensitive thing to cover.

One side wins, another loses.

Someone could walk free or a grieving family could finally see justice.

And it's usually obvious someone is lying.

So, it was a thought-provoking sight last month at a trial of a nun accused of running a red light at Route 72 and Randall in Elgin in October 2007, killing Keith P. Forbes II, an honor student at Dundee-Crowne High School.

The nun, Marie Marot, was only accused of running the red light, not of reckless homicide.

But Marot and Fraternite de Notre Dame in Chicago fought the traffic charge, prompting a two-day jury trial and plenty of media coverage.

Before the jury came back with the verdict, Marot's sisters in full habit along with her held hands and prayed, as did family members and relatives of Forbes and others who were in the car that Marot struck.

Were they praying to the same God? And if so, who does God care about more, and why?

Pit bull problems: At the Daily Herald, like any other publication, writers are constrained by time and space.

Space in the actual printed paper was very tight last week when I wrote about Elgin residents telling their horror stories of pit bull attacks.

After the meeting, I spoke to Councilman Robert Gilliam, who unsuccessfully tried to ban pit bulls in 2006.

His comments didn't make it in full into my story last week, so here is what he had to say:

"I think (a ban) will be revisited. I wish they would have spoken then. It could have helped. Last time it was more people pro-pit bull than those against them. I think the mood's changed more.

"The atmosphere may be right to look at this after hearing these stories. Before, these stories didn't come up last time I tried it and it just kind of died. I think there's more sentiment in the community and (city) council to revisit the pit bull ban."

Punitive parking ban? The Elgin City Council recently OK'd more signs and patrols for year-round odd-even parking restrictions in the Gifford Park area and Southwest Area Neighbors sections of town.

This action came after a trial period from September 2008 through May 31 for these and two other neighborhoods, Cobbler's Crossing and Randall Ridge.

The vote was unanimous, but Elgin Mayor Ed Schock said he still believes there are different ways to accomplish the goal of making leaf pick up, snow removal and street sweeping more predictable and efficient.

"There are other ways to achieve this that may be less punitive," he said, suggesting perhaps a 24-hour ban on off-street parking after a snow event.

"I hope we'll continue to search for other options. I can't believe this is the only way."

Harry Hitzeman covers Elgin and South Elgin. E-mail Harry at hhitzeman@dailyherald.com or call (847) 608-2719.