DNA evidence last hurdle before murder trial

CHESTER -- A trial date may soon be set in the case of Derrick Twardoski, who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of four Randolph County children in a May 9 house fire.

The only thing were waiting on is DNA evidence, Randolph County States Attorney Jeremy Walker said.

Eric Corey, a DNA specialist at the Illinois State Police crime lab, told Walker some of the evidence exhibits at the Illinois State Police Crime Lab contains DNA information and the exhibits may be destroyed in the process of identifying the DNA.

After Randolph County Public Defender James Kelley objected in a case management conference Thursday to Walkers motion to the consumption of DNA samples for the purpose of identification, Judge Richard Brown scheduled a hearing for 1 p.m. Jan. 30 to decide Walkers motion.

Walker said once the motion is ruled upon and all evidence has been analyzed, a trial date can be set within 30 days.

Brown also released the fire-damaged house in the 800 block of West Almond Street to the childrens parents, Mathew and Natasha Owen.

The house had been under a protective order to keep it from being destroyed, but the defense told Brown the house was no longer needed.

Twardoski is being held in the Randolph County Jail without bail.

chris.hottensen@thesouthern.com

618-351-5074

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DNA evidence last hurdle before murder trial