It will now be at least June before a Gilberts man goes to trial on nearly six-year-old murder charges.
On Thursday, Judge Linda Abrahamson became the latest to preside over the case of Su Won Kil, who is accused of shooting to death 61-year-old Dae Hae Kwak during a struggle in the Evergreen Circle home they shared in August 2010. Prosecutors allege Kil shot Kwak in the head, neck and chest as part of the altercation. Kil’s attorney contends the shooting was an act of self-defense after Kwak attacked Kil with a stun gun, which investigators found next to Kwak’s body, according to court filings.
Kil’s attorney, Patrick Crimmins, and Assistant State’s Attorney Bill Engerman met briefly with Abrahamson – who inherited the case after judicial reassignments took effect in January – for a conference in her chambers before emerging with plans for the trial to start June 6. The oft-delayed trial most recently had been scheduled for April, but now has been reset for at least the seventh time in about a year’s time.
Abrahamson set Kil’s next court appearance for April 28, with a final pre-trial hearing on May 25. Any remaining motions related to evidence or testimony will likely be heard at that time. Attorneys have already argued over whether jurors should hear about Kwak’s 2008 arrest for possessing a stun gun and letters from members of the Elgin church where the two men met that claim Kil feared Kwak before the shooting.
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Kil has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $350,000 bail.
Dan Campana is a freelance reporter.