Dugan prosecution a waste of money, time

Every time I see another story about the long-delayed prosecution of Brian Dugan, accused of the murder of Jeanine Nicarico, I see the futility of the situation.

Dugan is in prison on multiple life sentences and thus will die in prison. Dugan offers to plead guilty if State's Attorney Joe Birkett agrees to forego the death penalty. But, for the chance (not certainty) of a conviction, and the chance (not certainty) of a death sentence, and the chance (almost a certainty) that the execution will not occur within Dugan's remaining life, Birkett, who wishes to be governor, insists on pursuing a trial.

It has been reported that the expense of Dugan's prosecution and publicly funded defense has already cost millions and will cost millions more. I'm baffled as to who might have been paid this money and for what. I can't help wonder if this expense is included in the county or state expenditures, which supposedly simply can't be cut any further.

Gary Patterson

West Chicago