3 Assistance DuPage County Prosecutors to be Honored

The Chicago Crime Commission will honor three DuPage County assistant state’s attorneys Wednesday, Nov. 6 at its Stars of Distinction 2013 Awards Dinner.

In a release issued Tuesday, the Chicago Crime Commission announced it will present its Mitchell A. Mars Prosecutorial Excellence Award to DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office Assistant State’s Attorneys Amanda Meindl, Bernie Murray and Joseph Ruggiero.

According to the release, the three are being honored for the successful prosecution of Johnny Borizov and Jacob Nodarse. Borizov and Nodarse were convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Jeffrey Kramer, Lori Kramer, and Michael Kramer in their home on March 2, 2010 in Darien, Ill.

Jeffrey and Lori's Daughter, Angela, escaped the shooting by hiding in a closet, the release states.

“We are pleased to recognize the efforts of DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorneys Amanda Meindl, Bernie Murray and Joseph Ruggiero by honoring them with the Chicago Crime Commission’s Mitchell A. Mars Prosecutorial Excellence Award,” said Chicago Crime Commission Executive Director  Joe Ways.

According to the release, Nodarse was arrested the day after the shooting at his parents' home in Florida.  He confessed to having encouraged Borizov to let him kill the Kramer family, specifically Angela, with whom Borizov was involved in a custody battle over the couple's infant son.

Borizov had an alibi for the night of the murder, which was confirmed when investigators discovered he was at a riverboat casino, the release states, describing the investigation as very difficult.

Nodarse accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty but mentally ill to one count of first-degree murder, in exchange for testimony that incriminated Borisov, the release states. Jurors deliberated for only three hours after the four-week trial, convicting Borisov of three counts of first-degree murder.

In July, Borisov was sentenced to three consecutive terms of natural life imprisonment, while Nodarse was sentenced to 75 years imprisonment, the release states.

The release state’s that the Crime Commission’s Stars of Distinction Mitchell A. Mars Prosecutorial Excellence Award is named after the late assistant U.S. attorney who is credited with convicting some of Chicago’s most notorious organized crime figures in the Operation Family Secrets trial.

“As recipients of the Mitchell A. Mars Prosecutorial Excellence Award, Assistant State’s Attorneys Amanda Meindl, Bernie Murray and Joseph Ruggiero find themselves in the company of some of Illinois’ finest prosecutors,” Ways said in the release. “Past recipients of the award include state and federal prosecutors responsible for ridding our communities of street gang leaders, outfit members, drug dealers and murderers.”

The Stars of Distinction, 2013 Awards Dinner will honor individuals and the organizations they serve for their outstanding work in law enforcement, the release states.