The Southland's major criminal and civil cases heard in Cook County courts this week.

Cook County

EVERGREEN PARK  — Evergreen Park Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery, Gets 14 Years

A 23-year-old man accused of an armed robbery spree has pleaded guilty to the crime and will spend 14 years in prison, Cook County officials confirmed Friday, Sept. 7.

Marcus Parker entered his plea in a Skokie courtroom Sept. 6, according to court records. He was charged in three different cases for the crimes, which reportedly occurred on Chicago's north side.

OAK LAWN — State Investigating Evidence of Other Crimes in Alleged Molestation Case

Prosecutors who say an Oak Lawn doctor fondled his patients filed a motion Friday, Sept. 6 to admit evidence of other crimes against him. Prosecutors said there is another misdemeanor charge pending against Rajat Prakash, 47, who is a former Advocate Christ Medical Center physician. He is scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 16.

ORLAND PARK — Judge Will Allow Alleged Victim Statement in Sex Abuse Trial

Delivering a victory to the prosecution and a blow to the defense, a Cook County ruled Thursday that an incriminating statement made by the alleged victim in the sex abuse case against Robert Phelan can be admitted.

Phelan, 57, is accused of sexually assaulting the 93-year-old dementia patient while she was being treated at an Orland Park care facility, where he was working as a nurse, according to prosecutors. He will be back in court on Oct. 23.

ORLAND PARK — No Trial Date Yet for Man Accused of Wife's Murder

There hasn't been a trial date set yet for Allan Kustok, who has been charged with murder in the 2010 shooting death of Anita "Jeanie" Kustok. Kustok will be back in court on Sept. 28.

ORLAND PARK — Man Accused in Sex Assault of Teen to be Arraigned on New Charges

An Orland Park man accused of sexually assaulting a teen remained in custody Tuesday on new charges unrelated to the molestation case.
Kevin Skaritka, 35, is set to be arraigned Sept. 20 on two new felony counts of manufacturing harmful materials. He allegedly sent sexually explicit images to someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl in St. Louis, Mo.

Will County

JOLIET — Verdict: Drew Peterson Found Guilty of Murdering Kathleen Savio

Drew Peterson was found guilty of first degree murder in the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. His sentencing will be Nov. 26.  

Peterson had no expression when the verdict was read. The Savio family was crying and hugging in the courtroom. "Oh my god it's about friggin' time," sobbed Savio brother-in-law Mitch Doman as he hugged his wife, Savio's sister Susan Doman. 

On the Docket Next Week

TUESDAY
Trial for woman accused of animal abuse, neglect at Tinley Park animal sanctuary

WEDNESDAY
Oak Lawn man accused of soliciting 16-year-old girl
Palos man charged in fatal DUI

THURSDAY
Orland Park man accused of carjacking an 88-year-old woman
Orland Park man accused of stalking, child porn
Oak Forest man charged with murder