Suspect in Nicarico death expected to plead guilty today
Brian Dugan (right) is accused of killing 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico (left) in Naperville in February 1983. (AP File Photo)
July 28, 2009 – SUN TIMES. Convicted double-murderer Brian Dugan is expected to plead guilty today to the notorious 1983 murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico and then ask that a jury determine whether he gets the death penalty.
The 52-year-old former Aurora man could admit as next week, when he’s set to appear in a DuPage County courtroom, that he is responsible for kidnapping, raping and killing the Naperville girl more than 25 years ago, the sources said.
Dugan already is serving life sentences for two other suburban murders. He’s scheduled to stand trial in September for Jeanine’s slaying, one of the Chicago area’s most bizarre unsolved crimes.
Given his long criminal record, the only other sentencing option for Dugan is another life term.
Dugan was charged with Jeanine’s slaying in 2005, but the case has a long and tangled history that includes two other men being convicted and sentenced to death for the crime. Rolando Cruz and Alejandro Hernandez later were cleared of the charges and released, while seven DuPage County law officers involved in their prosecutions were charged with wrongdoing.
The police officers and prosecutors — informally known as the DuPage 7 — ultimately were acquitted of all charges against them. – Dan Rozek