Court Briefs: Sentencing Expected for Downers Grove Man Accused of Kiling Wife, Unborn Son

DUPAGE:
Downers Grove:
A judge is expected to sentence Eric Gilford on Tuesday (Oct. 4) after hearing testimony Sept. 29 for the man who admitted to killing his wife and unborn son in 2010. Gilford pleaded guilty in June to murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child, and faces up to 140 years in prison. Gilford was arrested at a Wyoming homeless shelter in August 2010 three months after police found his estranged wife stabbed to death in a Villa Park apartment where she had been staying. Gilford had been a member of the U.S. Navy prior to his arrest. Authorities have said Kristine Gilford was five-months pregnant at the time of her death. She had been staying with her three-year-old daughter at the apartment for a few weeks before the May 26 killing.

Elmhurst:
Expected trials were delayed last week for three men from one Elmhurst family charged in a March altercation with police. Brian R. Connell and sons Steven and Bryan each are accused of fighting with police officers inside the Spring Inn. Steven's case was reset for trial on Nov. 1, but a high-profile murder trial is also scheduled to begin that day in Judge George Bakalis' courtroom. No new trial dates were scheduled for Brian R. and Bryan Connell, as their attorney is now seeking to consolidate their cases into one trial. A status hearing on that request is set for Oct. 18.

Naperville:
Homeless downtown protester Scott Huber went to trial this week in his criminal case, while he suffered a setback in a lawsuit filed against him. Huber is charged with disorderly and conduct and trespassing in connection to a February 2010 incident outside the office building of psychologist Katherine Borchardt. Three days of testimony concluded Thursday with Judge Karen Wilson saying she will issue her decision during an Oct. 21 hearing. On Sept. 26, the judge overseeing Borchardt's lawsuit against Huber sided with the doctor by denying Huber's request for sanctions against Borchardt. Huber alleged Borchardt's attorney failed to hand over case-related information in a timely manner. Borchardt sued Huber relating to the incident at her office and on allegation he defamed her in his blog. The civil case resumes in December.

KANE:
St. Charles:
The judge presiding over the case of a St. Charles mother charged in connection with the beating of her daughter opted not to delay a key hearing until January. Cathleen Koch is fighting to have her statements to police suppressed. She is accused of lying to authorities, who also charged James Cooper with severely injuring Koch's young daughter in the incident inside a St. Charles motel last year. Circuit Judge Timothy Sheldon told attorneys during a Sept. 29 hearing that he was in the middle of a murder trial when he originally set the motion hearing for early next year and that it was not his intention to prolong the matter. He agreed to hear additional testimony and arguments on Koch's request during an Oct. 19 hearing.