Crime & Safety
Verdict Expected Soon in Darien Triple-Murder Trial
Jurors heard closing arguments Tuesday in the case against Johnny Borizov. He is accused of masterminding the plot to kill the Kramer family, prosecutors said.
UPDATE: The jury has found Borizov guilty on all counts.
Jurors are now in deliberations to decide the fate of a man accused of conspiring to kill a Darien family.
The trial against Johnny Borizov is in its final stages after the jury heard closing arguments Tuesday at the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton.
Prosecutors said their witnesses and evidence prove that Borizov manipulated friend Jacob Nodarse into killing Jeffrey, Lori and Michael Kramer. Borizov wanted the family dead after a child custody battle began with the Kramer's daughter Angela, Assistant State's Attorney Bernie Murray said.
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Murray emphasized that the jury needs to consider who was behind the actual crime, even if the physical harm was done by somebody else.
"(Borizov) is legally responsible … even though he wasn't there, even though he was at a casino while Jacob Nodarse carried out his plan," Murray told the jury Tuesday.
Find out what's happening in Darienfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The defense maintain that Nodarse acted on his own when he shot and killed Jeffrey, Lori and Michael Kramer on March 2, 2010. They had the jury hear testimony that Nodarse was under the influence of several drugs and was in a psychotic state at the time of the shootings.
They attempted to discredit Nodarse's tape police interviews with other witnesses and pointed questions of Nodarse himself.
Borizov's trial is coming to a close nearly one month after it originally began on April 16, and more than three years after the shootings.
Deliberations to reach a verdict could potentially last well into Tuesday night.
Check back on this site for any updates released from the courthouse about the jurors. We'll post the verdict as soon as it becomes available.
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