Willowbrook man charged in 2002 murder free to get driver's license
A former Willowbrook man recently granted a new trial on charges he murdered a 2-year-old boy he was caring for in 2002 took another step toward a normal life Friday.
When Randy Liebich posted his $30,000 bail last month, Judge John Kinsella limited his movements to work, religious services, medical care, attorney meetings and court dates. On Friday, Kinsella granted him permission to get a state ID and driver's license.
According to court documents, Liebich's attorneys sought the modification of his bond conditions to allow Liebich, who has been incarcerated since 2002, to be able to open a bank account "to save and secure the money he has made working" at his brother's car-detailing shop since his Sept. 24 release.
On Sept. 14, Kinsella ruled Liebich was denied a fair trial in 2004 when he was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Steven Quinn Jr., the son of Liebich's girlfriend at the time. Ten days later, Kinsella set bail for Liebich.
When Liebich was initially charged in 2002, Judge Ann B. Jorgensen ordered him held without bail.
The hearing that granted Liebich the right to a new trial actually was ordered by the Second District Appellate Court. The appellate court ruled Liebich, 39, should receive a new trial on the basis of "ineffective assistance of counsel."
DuPage County prosecutors have since filed an appeal.
In its 2016 ruling, the appellate court found former assistant public defenders Ricky Holman and John Casey failed to adequately investigate scientific alternatives that could have explained the boy's internal brain and abdominal wounds and, ultimately, his death.
Liebich's next scheduled court date is March 15, 2019.