Special Prosecutor Named In Koschman Case

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 23, 2012 4:30PM

Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb has been appointed by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael Toomin to investigate the handling of the David Koschman case.

Webb, a partner in the powerful law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP, is considered one of the best litigators in the country. He was the lead prosecutor in the "Operation Greylord" investigations into Cook County judicial corruption in the mid-80s that led to the indictment of 92 people, including 17 judges, 48 lawyers, 10 deputy sheriffs, eight policemen, eight court officials, and state legislator James DeLeo. 15 of those judges were convicted. Webb was also responsible for successfully prosecuting retired Admiral John Poindexter in the Iran-Contra affair.

Toomin said Webb will have "unfettered access to reports, records and other materials" related to the case, and will be able to hire a staff to aid in his investigation. Webb said of his pending investigation, “I’m going to go where the facts take me." He will look into Koschman's death and the handling of the case by the Chicago Police Department and Cook County State's Attorney's office.

Toomin ruled in favor of a special prosecutor earlier this month in a stern rebuke, saying "the system has failed David Koschman." Koschman was killed in 2004 from injuries sustained by a punch from Richard "RJ" Vanecko, a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, but charges were never filed in the case.

Toomin said in his ruling ""This is not a whodunit. We know who did it. We have a known offender and yet no charges."