BRIAN DUGAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER OF JEANINE NICARICO

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that convicted murderer Brian Dugan has entered a blind plea of guilty to First Degree Murder for the February 25, 1983 abduction, rape and murder of ten year-old Jeanine Nicarico.  On November 29, 2005, a DuPage County Grand Jury returned a fifteen-count indictment against Dugan charging him with Jeanine’s murder.      
          On February 25, 1983, Jeanine was suffering from the flu and did not attend school that day.  Sometime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Dugan broke into the Nicarico’s home, which was located in unincorporated Naperville, and abducted Jeanine.  Jeanine’s older sister arrived home from school at approximately 3:05 p.m. that afternoon and discovered that Jeanine was missing from the home.  Two days later, on February 27, Jeanine’s body was discovered along the Illinois Prairie Path.  She had been raped and beaten to death with a blunt instrument. 
            “This afternoon, in open court, Brian Dugan a blind plea of guilty for the 1983 kidnapping, rape and brutal murder of ten year-old Jeanine Nicarico,” commented Birkett.  “Additional pre-trial motions will be litigated and then this case will proceed to the sentencing phase.  A jury will first decide if the defendant is eligible for the death penalty and thereafter whether the death penalty is appropriate.  I would like to express my sincerest thanks to everyone who has aided my office in reaching this point.”  
            Dugan’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 30, 2009, for filing of motions and to set a date for the return of the jury questionnaire.  Judge George Bakalis, who accepted Dugan’s blind plea of guilty, will preside over the sentencing of Brian Dugan.

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