Police & Fire

Court Watch: Man Indicted for Reckless Homicide in Fatal DUI

Also, a former city attorney from Oak Forest set to be in court this week on sexual assaults charges was found dead in his home by apparent suicide.

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The Southland's major criminal and civil cases heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.

Cook County

EVERGREEN PARK - Woman Accused of Elderly Neglect, Abuse Will Be Back in Court This Month

Kathy Reed, 47, of Elgin, who allegedly left four disabled men in a hot van in the parking lot of Walmart on a 99-degree day, appeared briefly in court Monday. She is scheduled to be back in court on Aug. 16.

OAK FOREST - Former City Attorney Found Dead in His Home of Apparent Suicide, Authorities Say

The former Oak Forest city attorney that was scheduled to appear in court Monday on sexual assault charges found dead in his home on July 24 apparently committed suicide, according to authorities.

David Baitman, 60, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the September 2011 incident where he was accused of handcuffing and sexually molesting a woman at his home.

The inside of the single-story house was Baitman's house “completely destroyed,” according to an Oak Forest police report. A rope noose was tied to a rafter in the attic where Baitman was found and several alcoholic beverages were on a nearby ledge.

OAK LAWN - Judge Orders More Fingerprinting in Buell Court Home Invasion Case

To identify a fingerprint found on a magazine in the botched Buell Court home invasion case that ended in the shooting of a woman last August, Judge Colleen Ann Hyland will allow for one more set of prints to be taken from the three defendants.

Timmie Walton, 28, of Midlothian, and Keon Thigpen, 23, and Kennedy Clark, 51, both of Chicago, have been charged with attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping and home invasion for the incident that happened a year ago on Aug. 3.

OAK LAWN - Doctor Accused of Fondling Patients Will Be Back in Court in September

Rajat Prakash, 47, the Oak Lawn doctor accused of molesting his patients had a quick status hearing in a Bridgeview court on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 7.

ORLAND PARK - Orland Park Man Indicted on 14 Counts of Aggravated DUI After Fatal Accident

Matthew Senica, 25, has been indicted Tuesday on 14 counts of aggravated DUI and one count of reckless homicide for his role in the July 11 accident that took the life of a nurse on her way to work.

Senica is still in custody on a $1 million bail. Orland Park police are police still investigating the vehicle in the fatal DUI case. Senica is scheduled to be back in court on Aug. 16.

Will County

FRANKFORT — Former Teacher Granted Trial for Trespassing Charges

A former Lincoln-Way High School District 210 employee charged with trespassing on school grounds was granted his request for a bench trial to decide his case last month, according to Will County Circuit Court records.

Michael Angel was accused of allegedly of being on school property in January to coach youth baseball without the district’s permission . hat was a violation of an agreement he signed with administrators on Feb. 20, 2009, stating he was not allowed back on school property without the consent of the superintendent, according to the Will County Sheriff's Department.

FRANKFORT — The former president of Shimmering View Homeowners Association accused of stealing more than $28,000 from the organization was sentenced July 25 to 180 days in jail and 300 hours of community service after accepting a plea deal, according to Will County Circuit Court records.

Kristin Simon, 38, of the 20100 block of South Brendan Street, pleaded guilty to theft control intent greater than $300, a Class A misdemeanor. Simon was originally charged with two counts of felony theft after a warrent for her arrest was issued in April.

Simon also was fined $2,542, $500 of which was already paid when she posted her bond after turning herself in April 6. According to court documents, Simon already paid full restitution for the money she stole from the association.

JOLIET — Sister: Drew Was Going to Kill Wife and Make it Look Like an Accident

Kathleen Savio repeatedly predicted Drew Peterson would kill her and make it look like she died in an accident, her sister Anna Domantestified Friday.

Doman also recalled how the law ignored her family after Savio actually did die in what appeared to be an accident. "No one would listen," she said.