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

Cook County

ORLAND PARK — Rick Beuke, an attorney for Allan Kustok, said he has interviewed several experts but has “not formally retained anyone” who might be called to challenge the state’s forensic evidence at Anita “Jeanie” Kustok’s murder trial. Nearly two years have passed since Kustok carried his dead wife into the Palos Community Hospital ER and was arrested in her shooting death.

Earlier this month, prosecutors announced that they were finished with their investigation. As of Monday they had only a new copy of a scratched DVD to give the defense, which they resolved to do by the next pretrial hearing on July 26. Of the two years worth of interviews and reports that he now has at his disposal, including notes from a blood-splatter expert, Beuke informed the court, “I’m trying to go through it and understand it.”

PALOS — Former Chinese Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty to Arson

Owner of the Canton Express in Worth, which was destroyed on New Year's Eve by fire, avoided jail time as part of a plea deal offered last month by the state.

TINLEY PARK — 'Ashford House 5' Plead Not Guilty to 185 Charges

Five men accused of being among a group of about 18 who authorities say attacked diners at the Ashford House in May were arraigned Thursday, when they appeared before three different judges. In July, attorneys will ask a judge to reduce their bail.

Will County

FRANKFORT — Frankfort Township Man Gets 10 Years for Trying to Buy Sex with Minors

With good behavior and credit for time already served, Brandon Bergthold, 25, could be out in less than five years as part of a plea deal. Bergthold was arrested in a sting operation in January at a New Lenox motel.

FRANKFORT — Adam Grosch was given a 60-day break in pretrial hearings to catch up on evidence alleging that his new client, Brian Trainauskas, plotted to murder a Will County prosecutor in 2011 while sitting in jail. A private attorney, Grosch replaced the Will County Public Defender’s Office in May on one of two criminal cases against Trainauskas. Authorities also allege that he murdered Monica Timar in 2009. She was found wrapped in a comforter in the trunk of her Ford Mustang in the 21000 block of 78th Avenue with a gunshot wound to the head. Both cases are up again on Sept. 6.

Meanwhile, Judge Richard Schoenstedt has granted two members of Trainauskas’ family as well as his fiancé permission to visit him in jail next month. He is being held without bond.

NEW LENOX — Men Who Burglarized Dead New Lenox Man's Home Get Prison Time

A Will County judge denied probation and sentenced John White and David Reed, both of whom pleaded guilty earlier this year. With good behavior and credit for time served, they could serve a shorter amount of time.

— Tinley Park Patch Editor Carrie Frillman contributed to this article

On the Docket Next Week

MONDAY

Trial begins in Joliet for a man accused of beating another man into a coma in 2009

Advocate Christ doctor accused of inappropriately touching a patient

TUESDAY

A young man accused of mocking and evading police officers on a stolen motorcycle and then uploading the videos to YouTube

WEDNESDAY

A special hearing was set for John Granat, one of four young men accused of participating in the murder of Granat’s parents

A Will County judge will rule whether a murder defendant’s statements were forced during an interrogation

A man recently charged with a 2001 murder

THURSDAY

Justice man indicted on charges of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI

Former Village of Palos Park code enforcement officer accused of videotaping a minor in his Lockport bathroom

FRIDAY

A plea deal may be reached for an Oak Lawn man accused of battering a girl

Park Forest man charged with stalking and possession of child pornography

Looking for more crime news from this week?

• 35 Years Later, Man Sentenced for Murder of Homewood Teen
• Man Gets 120 Years for Raping Woman and Forcing Assault of Infant  
• Crime Prevention Commissioners Want More OF Neighborhood Watch Groups
• OF Residents Invited to Unload Unwanted Guns at Buy Back
• Inmate Serving Sentence for Oak Lawn Ruse Burglary Nabbed After Hospital Escape
• Mokena Man Arrested After Escape Try During Pat Down
• 2 Charged after Police Foot Chase
• Axe-Armed Burglars Raid 2nd Tobacco Shop of Month
• Homewood Man Allegedly Beaten at Serena Hills School
• Police: Men Used McDonald’s To Shoot Up Heroin