Borizov loses appeal in 2010 Darien triple murder case
The Second District Appellate Court has affirmed the first-degree murder conviction of Johnny Borizov, 33, for his role in the 2011 slayings of Jeffrey Kramer, 50, his wife Lori, 48, and their son Michael, 20, of Darien.
On May 14, 2013, a jury found Borizov guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and one count of solicitation to commit murder after a four-week trial in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
On July 15, 2013, Guerin sentenced Borizov to three consecutive sentences of natural life in prison without the possibility of parole. On Sept. 20, 2011, Borizov's co-defendant, gunman Jacob Nodarse, formerly of Countryside, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to first-degree murder for his role in the killings. On Aug. 12, 2013, Nodarse was sentenced to 75 years in prison.
In February, 2010, Borizov asked Nodarse to kill members of the Kramer family, specifically Angela, with whom Borizov was in a contentious custody battle over the couple's infant son. Borizov devised a plan that called for Nodarse to break into the Kramer's home at roughly 3 a.m. on March 2, 2010. Once inside the home, Nodarse was to kill everyone there. Borizov's plan also called for him to have an alibi at the time of the murders.
In his appeal, Borizov argued he did not receive a fair trial. The appellate court disagreed, however, stating, "The state properly presented overwhelming evidence that defendant was legally responsible for Nodarse's conduct."
"Five years ago, Jacob Nodarse killed Jeffrey, Lori and Michael Kramer in cold blood at the behest of Johnny Borizov," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "The evidence of Borizov's guilt and role in these horrific murders was overwhelming and the appellate court agreed that he received a fair trial."