Assault, battery charges dropped


August 26, 2008Recommend (1)

By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@scn1.com
JOLIET -- Charges against a Joliet Township couple accused of starting a physical confrontation with their Hispanic neighbors were dismissed Monday.

Ronald P. Kurecki, 41, and Erica M. Kurecki, 31, of 1703 S. Chicago St., were initially charged with committing a hate crime following the June 10 incident. Soon after the arrest, the Will County State's Attorney's office reviewed the charges and decided to prosecute Ronald Kurecki on four counts of misdemeanor assault and Erica Kurecki on one count of misdemeanor battery.

Prosecutors alleged the couple and their 9-year-old son approached four Hispanic men who were working on a car outside the apartment complex where the Kureckis and three of the men live.

Police said the boy handed the men a letter calling them illegal aliens who were not welcome in the area. After an argument, which reportedly included racial slurs, turned physical, Will County Sheriff's police were called and the couple was arrested.

"The cops just made this stuff up," Ronald Kurecki said Monday. "There was no letter ... nothing like what was in the (police) report ever happened."

The Kureckis had a bench trial before Judge Jim Egan. Will County State's Attorney spokesman Charles B. Pelkie said the dismissal was the result of key absences.

"The witnesses and victims were notified (of Monday's court date) but did not show up," Pelkie said. "The only witness who showed up was the (arresting) officer."

The assistant state's attorney made a motion to continue the trial until the witnesses could appear, but that motion was denied.

"We were prepared to go forward with the case," Pelkie said. Ronald Kurecki said he felt vindicated by the dismissal, but believes the publicity from the arrest has damaged his family's reputation. He told The Herald News he has contacted a civil attorney and plans to file suit against the sheriff's office.


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