DuPage Judge Allows Cameras For April Murder Trial
WHEATON, Ill. (CBS) -- A DuPage County judge has overruled objections from both sides and will allow cameras into the courtroom for a high-profile murder trial next month.
It will be the first time cameras are allowed inside a Chicago area courtroom for a murder trial.
The case involves Johnny Borizov, who is accused of plotting the shooting deaths of his girlfriend's parents and brother in their Darien home three years ago. He is accused of murder and conspiracy in the deaths of Jeffrey Kramer, his wife, Lori; and their son, Michael.
Borizov's ex-girlfriend, Angela Kramer, avoided being shot by hiding in a closet.
Defense attorneys and prosecutors sought to have cameras barred from the trial, arguing they'd be a distraction for the jury, but Judge Daniel Guerin ruled against them.
He did, however, agree to reduce the number of cameras normally allowed for court proceedings. Only one TV camera and one still camera will be allowed in the trial, instead of two of each.
The judge also said cameras would be turned off for the testimony of a jailhouse informant, and from anyone who was in the home during the murders – except the confessed gunman, Jacob Nodarse, who is accused of carrying out the murders at Borizov's request.
Borizov was involved in a custody dispute with Angela Kramer at the time of the shootings.
The trial is set to start April 16.
Cameras have been allowed in the court for murder trials in rural Whiteside and Kankakee counties, but not in the Chicago area. DuPage County has allowed cameras into a courtroom in November for the not guilty plea of a woman accused in the stabbing deaths of her 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old girl, but not for a murder trial.
