Daley nephew trial in death of Mount Prospect man set for February
A nephew of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley will face trial Feb. 18 on a charge he caused the death of a suburban man during a 2004 altercation outside a Rush Street bar.
McHenry County Judge Maureen McIntyre set the trial date Tuesday for Richard Vanecko, 39, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Mount Prospect resident David Koschman.
At an earlier hearing McIntyre told attorneys for both sides to keep January and February open for a possible trial, which will take place at the George Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago.
Authorities say Vanecko and Koschman, 21, got into an argument outside a bar during the early morning hours of April 25, 2004. The charge alleges Vanecko punched the Harper College student in the face, causing the 5-foot-5, 125-pound Koschman to fall to the ground and hit his head. He died of brain injuries 11 days later.
Vanecko was not charged initially, and Koschman's family claimed his relationship to Daley compromised the investigation.
In April 2012, Cook County Judge Michael Toomin ordered special prosecutor Dan Webb to look into Koschman's death following allegations that members of the Chicago Police Department and the Office of the Cook County State's Attorney acted to suppress and conceal evidence.
A Cook County grand jury indicted Vanecko, 39, on involuntary manslaughter charges in December. Vanecko, who currently lives in California, is free on $100,000 bond while awaiting trial.
Late last week, Webb announced that no police or prosecutors will face indictment for their involvement in the investigation.
In a prepared statement, Webb explained that the expiration of the three-year statute of limitations bars the indictment of any police or prosecutors. Webb further stated there is no evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that authorities violated any laws.
Webb said Tuesday that most pretrial discovery is complete.
Vanecko is scheduled to appear in court next on Nov. 25.