Briefs: Judge denies new trial

DuPage Circuit Judge Bonnie Wheaton on Tuesday denied a retired priest's request for a new civil commitment trial. A jury found last spring that Fred Lenczycki, 63, was a "sexually violent person" and should remain civilly committed in a secured state treatment facility until he is deemed safe enough to be released. Lenczycki served a five-year prison term for molesting three Hinsdale altar boys in the mid-1980s. But he admitted to fondling at least 30 boys in six parishes across three states during his 25-year tenure as a priest until 1999. In seeking a new civil trial, his attorneys argued two irreversible errors were made that would have changed the jury's decision. Judge Wheaton disagreed. Lenczycki will be held until Wheaton finds the retired priest, with enough treatment, no longer poses a substantial risk to re-offend.

Judge mulls videotaping

DuPage County Circuit Court Judge George Bakalis said Tuesday he will rule Sept. 3 regarding a prosecution request that a mental health examination of Brian Dugan be videotaped in the case surrounding the 1983 murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville. Bakalis said he wants more time to review the law, as well as getting input from the forensic psychiatrist who will conduct the exam. Dugan, 51, formerly of Aurora, may face the death penalty if convicted of killing Jeanine. He is serving two life prison terms for two later sex slayings. The defense is having him evaluated for purposes of mitigation should Dugan be convicted.

Author coming to Roselle

Author Beth Finke and her guide dog, Hanni, visit the Roselle Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 in the library's meeting room, 40 S. Park St. Finke's presentation will include information about guide dogs and how they are trained to help people who are blind go about daily activities safely. Finke is the author of "Hanni and Beth: Safe and Sound." For details, call (630) 529-1641, ext. 351 or visit www.roselle.lib.il.us.

Career and GED training

The Early School Leaver Program, which offers free GED preparation, workplace skill building and career training for DuPage residents ages 17 to 21, is accepting applications for the 2008 fall semester. The program is funded by the Workforce Development Division of DuPage County and targets students who left high school before graduating. Classes for the one-semester program run Mondays through Fridays at the Technology Center of DuPage, 301 S. Swift Road, Addison. For details or to register, call (630) 691-7577 or visit www.tcdupage.org/esl.html.