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The Roderick MacArthur Justice Center filed a petition calling for a special prosecutor to investigate whether criminal charges should be brought in the homicide of David Koschman against Richard J. (R.J.) Vanecko, former Mayor Richard M. Daley's nephew. The petition, filed on behalf of Koschman's family, alleges that the investigation into Koschman's death may have been influenced by Vanecko's relationship to Daley.
The petition alleges that in the early morning hours of April 25, 2004, David Koschman and R.J. Vanecko engaged in an argument on a sidewalk near Division and Dearborn in Chicago during which Vanecko punched Koschman in the face, causing Koschman to fall and strike his head on the pavement. Koschman died 11 days later from complications from blunt head trauma. His death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner.
According to the petition, irregularities in the investigation, including false official records and missing files, require an independent investigation into whether individuals in the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office may have obstructed the investigation.
The petition was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Chicago Sun Times story: "Koschman mom: Fighting for son, 'want him to know I did everything'
5 NBC Chicago: "Petitioners Explain Koschman Filing"
Chicago Sun-Times editorial: "Judge should heed a mother's fair plea"
Updated (12/20/2011)
