Prosecutors pursue upgraded murder charge in Villa Park slaying

A fourth teen is facing murder charges in the fatal beating of a Villa Park homeowner who authorities said was targeted for robbery.

Ray A. Moore has been in custody since last summer on lesser felony charges. Prosecutors said they sought the murder indictment earlier this week against the 18-year-old Chicago man after a further review of the evidence.

The violence erupted May 16, 2007, after at least four men arrived at James Keniski's home on North Addison Road. Keniski, 46, knew at least one of the men through the window-washing business he owned.

Two men, Joshua J. Gordon, 20, and Dywayne D. Head, 19, both of Chicago, are accused of tossing Keniski over a banister, causing him to fall 10 feet, and then repeatedly kicking him. Moore and another man, Semaj Walker, 22, also of Chicago, are charged with taking part in the beating.

Prosecutors said the men made off with a purse and credit cards that belonged to one of Keniski's female relatives, who was home during the attack. She was not injured, but Moore is accused of inappropriately touching her, the indictment alleges.

Rescuers rushed Keniski to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and, later, Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Keniski died nine days later from multiple injuries.

After the attack, the assailants fled in a van. Police arrested Gordon that night outside a gas station near the home. Gordon, who does not have a prior criminal record, originally faced robbery charges. Head, arrested June 5, 2007, was charged with aggravated battery.

Prosecutors eventually upgraded charges against all four defendants to first-degree murder, home invasion, residential burglary and robbery. Moore also faces a criminal sexual abuse charge on suspicion he inappropriately touched the victim's female relative. The men remain in the DuPage County jail on $3 million bonds.