Two men who allegedly set fire in 1987 to a Prairie View stable, killing 26 horses, will have separate trials, a Lake County judge has decided.
Assistant State’s Atty. George Strickland had asked Lake County Judge John Goshgarian for two separate juries that would hear only some of the testimony during the same trial. But Goshgarian denied the request.
Daniel Jayne, 33, of Morton Grove, one of the men charged with arson, is the grandnephew of the notorious Silas Jayne, a northwest suburban man who had been involved in a series of crimes and scandals before his death in 1987.
Daniel Jayne had been living and working at the stable, owned by John Garvey, 54, of Palos Verdes, Calif., who is also charged with arson.
Jayne’s trial is scheduled to begin April 22, Strickland said. Garvey’s trial is scheduled to start April 29, he said.
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The charges are an outgrowth of a federal investigation into the show horse industry stemming from the disappearance of candy heiress Helen Vorhees Brach.
At least 20 people in the Chicago area have been convicted as a result of the investigation. Two other men, snagged as part of the federal probe and convicted of arson for burning a Lake Villa residence in 1984, are due to be sentenced at the Lake County Courthouse in the next few weeks.
James Heinsohn, 66, pleaded guilty in early January to paying someone to burn his home. He is scheduled for sentencing April 19.
In late January, a jury convicted Robert Cheska, 39, of Waukesha, Wis., of setting Heinsohn’s house on fire. His sentencing is scheduled for May 8. Cheska grew up on land in Kane County owned by Silas Jayne.
The stable was insured for $193,000, according to authorities.
Retiring type: The Lake Zurich Police Department is losing one of its finest to retirement.
After 23 years of service, Rudy Velasquez, 49, has decided to hang up his badge and gun. His last day is Friday.
Velasquez has served as a detective, juvenile officer, field training officer and liaison to the village’s Hispanic community. Over the course of his career, he has received dozens of awards, including one from the FBI for apprehending two wanted criminals.
“He’s really a cop’s cop, if you will,” Lt. Steve Phillips said of his colleague. “He always had that sixth sense that told him if something was wrong or right.”
A proclamation was issued in his honor at Monday’s Village Board meeting.