Kane prosecutor supports expansion of recorded police questioning
A Kane County jury watched and listened to a video last month showing St. Charles police questioning a man suspected of fatally stabbing another man in fall 2008.
“I stabbed him because I was angry. The only thing he had to do was walk away,” an agitated Arthur Manning told police investigating the murder of Naromi Mannery, 28.
The jury took less than two hours to convict Manning, 62.
Lawyers like to say that physical evidence doesn’t lie. And neither does the video camera.
Mandatory video recording suspect interviews in murder cases became the law years ago, but now it will be expanding to a host of other serious crimes thanks to a new state law.
Beginning June 1, authorities must video record questioning of suspects in custody on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated arson.
Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon favors the changes. He said a video recording goes beyond an audio recording and court testimony by showing the defendant’s demeanor and reactions.
“I’m pleased to see this. I’m in support of it,” McMahon said last week. “Juries want to see this information.”
In January 2015, video recording will be required in cases of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated vehicular hijacking and home invasion. The year after that, recording applies to cases of aggravated criminal sexual assault, armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm.
The state’s attorney’s office will hold a training session in February for area police departments.
No show in horse farm lawsuit: A judge next month could award damages to a Maple Park horse stable owner after a man she sued failed to appear in court.
Donald Cinkus, who was sued by Dora Christensen and owners of Epona Dressage, was a no show Dec. 16, according to court records
Christensen filed suit earlier this year, arguing that Cinkus had erected a motocross track on his neighboring property and purposefully created extreme noise to scare horses and drive away her clients.
She argued Cinkus should be held responsible for more than $50,000 in damages.
Christensen’s attorneys want Judge Edward Schreiber to issue a default judgment against Cinkus, who was served with the lawsuit on Nov. 14.
“Defendant Cinkus, however, has failed to appear and answer or otherwise plead to plaintiff’s verified complaint,” Christensen’s attorneys argue.
The two sides are next due in court Feb. 28.
hhitzeman@dailyherald.com