A murder trial for a man accused of killing his wife continued Thursday despite requests for a mistrial after the defendant’s son spoke out against his father in a newspaper article this week.
The defense raised the possibility to move for a mistrial Thursday, concerned after Zach Kustok, a former Northwestern University quarterback, told the Southtown Star he was at the trial to support his wife, Nicole, who took the stand Tuesday, and not his father.
Allan Kustok, 63, is accused of killing his wife, Anita "Jeanie" Kustok, in the face with a .357-caliber revolver. He claims he discovered her in their bed with her arms folded over her body and the revolver in her right hand.
Nicole Kustok testified that her mother-in-law was very religious, and uncomfortable even having a conversation about guns.
Zach Kustok, 35, told the newspaper he does not accept his father's behavior, and when asked if he could forgive him, he said, "I'm working on that."
A judge reminded jurors of a strict rule to stay away from all media during the duration of the trial, and the trial continued when jurors swore they remained sequestered.
Prosecutors have maintained that the defendant wanted out of his marriage, and had a series of extramarital affairs in the days and weeks before Jeanie Kustok was shot in the head.
Forensic scientist Kelly Krajnik testified Thursday that analysis of blood found on the gun, pillowcases, a shirt and a pair of shorts Allan Kustok was said to be wearing tested positive as “Jeanie” Kustok’s.
Defense attorneys pointed out that there was not enough evidence on the gun to say who pulled the trigger.
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A firearms expert and the first officer to arrive on the scene the day of the shooting were also expected to testify Thursday.
