Sayad appeal delayed after cops fail to attend hearing
Two of three Des Plaines police officers expected to testify in Alderman Dick Sayad's misdemeanor criminal trespassing appeal failed to attend a court hearing Thursday, delaying the monthslong litigation once more.
Sayad's attorneys, Dean and Laura Morask, said they believe the officers' testimony will be key to their defense of the veteran alderman, who was found guilty in June of walking into a resident's house unannounced in February.
All three officers received subpoenas, Dean Morask said.
Outside the courtroom, Dean Morask called the police department, and an official he spoke with said one of the officers was off Thursday.
The third officer was aware of Thursday's court date, according to Assistant State's Attorney Kim Pressling, who said she spoke with him Wednesday.
Reached later, Police Chief Bill Kushner said he was unaware of the subpoenas or the officers' schedules Thursday.
As many as eight character witnesses who might have been called to testify on Sayad's behalf were present.
They were asked by Dean Morask to return for the next hearing Jan. 14.
Sayad, the 4th Ward alderman, said he went to the resident's house on the 400 block of Harvey Avenue to discuss complaints Sayad received for an unshoveled sidewalk.
Sayad walked up a flight of stairs to what he said he believed was a second-floor apartment, though Judge Michael Hood ruled the outside door is "a residential door" that serves as the entrance to the resident's single-family home.
Sayad was sentenced to 18 months of court supervision, fined $500 and ordered to pay $869 in court costs and fees.