UPDATE: Special Prosecutor Releases Report in Koschman Case
Special prosecutor Dan K. Webb on Tuesday morning plans to release a 162-page report regarding the death of David Koschman that was ordered sealed until the trial of Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko.
Vanecko, a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, pleaded guilty last week in the 21-year-old Koschman's death.
The guilty plea was in exchange for 60 days in county jail, 60 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring, $20,000 in restitution and an apology. He also must spend the maximum 30 months on probation.
Attorneys for NBC5 and the Chicago Sun-Times filed a request last year to remove the seal on Webb's 17-month grand jury probe. The report was sealed by Judge Toomin at Webb’s request.
Webb was appointed in 2012 to investigate the death of Koschman who died in 2004 following an argument outside the bars on Division Street, and whether or not police or members of the State’s Attorney’s Office intentionally acted to impede the prior investigation.
Neither police nor prosecutors brought charges in 2004 or when the case was reinvestigated in 2011, following questions raised by the Sun-Times and NBC5.
Vanecko was indicted, in late 2012, on a single charge of involuntary manslaughter.
In a September written statement, Webb said no additional charges would be brought because the statute of limitations had run on any possible wrongdoing in 2004. And that there was “insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt any state criminal law violations” by members of the Chicago Police Department in 2011.
Webb’s final report detailing the investigation was filed with the court on Sept. 19.
