CHICAGO

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that 19 year-old Raymond Moore (d.o.b. 3/7/1990) of Chicago, has been found guilty of First Degree Murder for his part in a home invasion that ultimately resulted in the death of then 46 year-old James Keniski of Villa Park.  Three other Chicago men were also charged in the event.  On March 16, 2009, Joshua J. Gordon, 21 (d.o.b. 12/14/1987) entered a plea of guilty to one count of Home Invasion and was sentenced to fifteen years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).  Dywayne D. Head, 20 (d.o.b. 12/11/1988), was sentenced to twenty years in the IDOC on November 14, 2008 after entering a plea of guilty to one count of Home Invasion as well.  The fourth man allegedly involved in the altercation is Semaj Walker.  Mr. Walker’s case is currently pending.  His next court appearance is scheduled for August 31, 2009 where he faces seven counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Home Invasion, two counts of Robbery and two counts of Residential Burglary.  Judge Peter Dockery presided over the cases for all four of the men.

It is alleged that on May 16^th 2007, the four men traveled from Chicago to Mr. Keniski’s home intending to rob him.  It is further alleged that during the course of the robbery, Mr. Keniski was pushed over a banister, falling approximately ten feet, and repeatedly stepped on and kicked by the defendants.  Mr. Keniski passed away on May 25, 2007 as the result of injuries he sustained allegedly at the hands of the defendants.

“While Mr. Moore was holding James Keniski’s wife at bay, his partners were robbing and inflicting a beating that caused his death,” remarked Birkett.  “Today Mr. Moore learned that when you join a criminal venture you will be held responsible for all the crimes of your partners, even murder.   I would like to thank the Villa Park Police Department, particularly Lieutenant Mike Lay, as well as the Major Crimes Task Force and Assistant State’s Attorneys Bob Stanker, Steve Knight and Bernie Murray for their work in seeking justice in the name of James Keniski.”

Moore will face a minimum sentence of 20-60 years in the IDOC.  In addition, the jury also found Moore guilty of Home Invasion, Residential Burglary and Robbery.  Moore’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 28.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.