(July 31 incident details below.)
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| Frank Kiriakakis Jr. |
The sentence was reached in agreement with the Cook County State's Attorney's office. The maximum sentence could have been up to a year in jail.
The victim of the beating, still reportedly recovering from her injuries, was in court, accompanied by friends and relatives and supported by about a dozen men and women volunteers from the Chicago Police Department Eighth District Court Advocacy Program.
When Kiriakakis' case was called, the advocates stood up with the victim---filling the entire front row and part of the second row---directly in front of Judge Tommy Brewer. Their presence apparently made an impact on Kiriakakis, who did a double take when he first noticed them, when he was led into the courtroom in olive prisoner garb.
Since Kiriakakis has already been in custody 77 days, he will serve the remaining 123 days of his sentence--with an anticipated release in February of 2013.
Reflecting the severity of the attack, Brewer also attached a "finding of violence" to the misdemeanor crime---which typically makes early release more difficult.
Outside the courtroom afterward, the victim shed a tear of relief that the proceedings were finished and personally thanked the court advocates for their steadfastness and support.
Eighth District Court Advocacy Committee leader Barbara Ziegler, a West Lawn resident, praised the work of her fellow court advocates following the case. "The court advocates were there every step of the way, as always," she said. "These are good people, some of them former crime victims themselves, who understand the importance of standing up in court for justice and of supporting victims through the whole process."
Southwest Siders interested in learning more about possibly joining the volunteer group should read the Southwest Chicago Post profile of them.
Since Kiriakakis has already been in custody 77 days, he will serve the remaining 123 days of his sentence--with an anticipated release in February of 2013.
Reflecting the severity of the attack, Brewer also attached a "finding of violence" to the misdemeanor crime---which typically makes early release more difficult.
Outside the courtroom afterward, the victim shed a tear of relief that the proceedings were finished and personally thanked the court advocates for their steadfastness and support.
Eighth District Court Advocacy Committee leader Barbara Ziegler, a West Lawn resident, praised the work of her fellow court advocates following the case. "The court advocates were there every step of the way, as always," she said. "These are good people, some of them former crime victims themselves, who understand the importance of standing up in court for justice and of supporting victims through the whole process."
Southwest Siders interested in learning more about possibly joining the volunteer group should read the Southwest Chicago Post profile of them.
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Original story posted on August 6:
An off-duty Chicago Fire Department captain chased, tackled and subdued a 22-year-old admitted gangbanger who allegedly had just attacked a woman on a sidewalk near 84th and Pulaski at 6:18 p.m. Tuesday, July 31.
The victim, a 27-year-old Palos Hills woman, had just finished work for the day at a nearby chiropractor's office and was walking on the sidewalk. She told police she saw the alleged offender, Scottsdale resident Frank Kiriakakis Jr., walking down the street and yelling into a cell phone.
The victim, a 27-year-old Palos Hills woman, had just finished work for the day at a nearby chiropractor's office and was walking on the sidewalk. She told police she saw the alleged offender, Scottsdale resident Frank Kiriakakis Jr., walking down the street and yelling into a cell phone.
Kiriakakis reportedly punched the victim in the head, grabbed her neck with both hands and body-slammed her to the concrete. The victim later told police she does not know Kiriakakis and had no idea why he attacked her.
As the victim lay injured, Kiriakakis fled. The off-duty captain, a 52-year-old man, chased him down, tackled him and held him as others on the street called 911 and the Chicago Fire Department station at 8026 South Kedzie.
CFD staff responded to assist their comrade and care for the victim. Police arrived and arrested Kiriakakis. They said that he resisted arrest before being brought under control. Later, at the Eighth District Station, Kiriakakis claimed he was having difficulty breathing. He was transported to Holy Cross Hospital.
The victim was transported by CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital, where she was treated for severe head, neck and back pain.
Kiriakakis was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery and one misdemeanor count of resisting/obstructing a police officer.
As the victim lay injured, Kiriakakis fled. The off-duty captain, a 52-year-old man, chased him down, tackled him and held him as others on the street called 911 and the Chicago Fire Department station at 8026 South Kedzie.
CFD staff responded to assist their comrade and care for the victim. Police arrived and arrested Kiriakakis. They said that he resisted arrest before being brought under control. Later, at the Eighth District Station, Kiriakakis claimed he was having difficulty breathing. He was transported to Holy Cross Hospital.
The victim was transported by CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital, where she was treated for severe head, neck and back pain.
Kiriakakis was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery and one misdemeanor count of resisting/obstructing a police officer.
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Good job by the CFD.
ReplyDeleteBring Concealed Carry to Illinois.