Two men accused in Villa Park beating now face murder charges

Two men face first-degree murder charges for the fatal beating of a Villa Park man in his home last spring.

Both Chicago men have remained in jail for several months on lesser felony charges, but prosecutors sought the murder indictment earlier this week after further review of the evidence.

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

Two of the defendants, Joshua J. Gordon, 20, and Dwyayne D. Head, 19, are accused of tossing the victim over a banister, causing him to fall 10 feet, and then repeatedly kicking him.

Prosecutors said they made off with a purse and credit cards that belonged to the victim's wife, who was home during the attack. She was not injured. Rescuers rushed her husband to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and, later, Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Keniski died May 25 from multiple injuries.

After the attack, the assailants fled in a van, authorities said. 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, was charged with aggravated battery.

Gordon and Head remain held on $3 million bonds on charges of first-degree murder, home invasion, residential burglary and robbery. A juvenile also was arrested. Information about his charges was not immediately available Friday. Police still are searching for another man, Semaj Walker, who is charged with aggravated battery.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Villa Park police at (630) 834-7447.