June trial set in Beverly teen’s killing
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS February 26, 2013 1:10PM
Kevin Kennelly. Supplied photo.
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Updated: March 28, 2013 6:38AM
LAPORTE, Ind. — A 20-year-old Chicago man accused of throwing a punch that killed a 17-year-old boy from Chicago’s Beverly community at a party on an Indiana beach is facing a June trial.
The South Bend Tribune reported that a LaPorte Circuit Court judge on Monday set James Malecek’s trial for June 3 after prosecutors and the defense asked for the original April 1 trial date to be rescheduled.
Malecek is charged with felony aggravated battery and involuntary manslaughter in the July 2011 death of Kevin Kennelly, 17, of the 9900 block of South Damen Avenue.
Malecek is accused of punching Kennelly during a beach party in Long Beach along Lake Michigan, about 30 miles southeast of Chicago.
An autopsy found Kennelly was struck in the head during a July 4 party, and he died of blunt force trauma to the head. Police say Kennelly might have been trying to break up a fight.
Kennelly was a student at Mount Carmel High School.
