Judge: Indicted Kane County coroner can vacation in Fla.
Kane County Coroner Chuck West, at his first court appearance Thursday on official misconduct charges, was granted permission to take a vacation in Florida.
West, 67, of Elgin, appeared in front of Kane County Judge James C. Hallock, who granted the travel request and sent the case to Judge T. Jordan Gallagher in felony trial court.
Defense attorney Gary Johnson said West has no prior criminal record and would not be a flight risk if allowed to leave the state. He said his client had been planning the week's vacation to Orlando for some time. The prosecution did not object.
West was indicted last week on five Class 3 felony counts of official misconduct that accuse him of taking a television from a dead man's home in Carpentersville in 2007. If convicted, he faces probation or the possibility of up to five years in prison.
Although Johnson filed a motion for a speedy trial Thursday, he said he doesn't intend to push for a trial within 160 days, as entitled.
"It's a strategic ploy," he said, declining to elaborate. "It really won't get us to trial any faster."
Johnson also filed paperwork requesting Gallagher appoint him as a special assistant state's attorney whose legal fees would be paid by the county.
Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti typically represents county officials in legal matters but is unable to do so for West because Barsanti's office also is prosecuting him.
Johnson has said he believes West is entitled to a county-funded defense, but at least one county board member expressed uncertainty at the idea last week.
Special Prosecutor Charles Colburn, who has been assigned the case to avoid a conflict with the state's attorney's office, said Gallagher is expected to set bail for West, who appeared Thursday on a summons, at his next appearance June 25.
West, who has denied any wrongdoing and says he intends to remain in office, arrived at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday wearing a suit and his county-issued coroner badge.
Accompanied by his wife, he went through courthouse security with the general public, Johnson said. He had no comment as he left the brief hearing.
<div class="infoBox">
<h1>More Coverage</h1>
<div class="infoBoxContent">
<div class="infoArea">
<h2>Stories</h2>
<ul class="links">
<li><a href="/story/?id=383814">Cops: Indicted coroner said he'd 'find out who had been talking to who' <span class="date">[05/26/10]</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>