It's been two years since the violent acid attack on Esperanza Medina but the trial for those accused will finally get under way with jury selection today and testimony expected to begin next week. The July 2008 attack was, according to prosecutors, the result of love triangle. Prosecutors have alleged Ofelia Garcia masterminded the attack, recruiting three teens to carry out the actual attack, because she believed Medina was dating her ex-husband. The teens involved have since pleaded guilty but Garcia and Maria Olivera-Garcia begin their trial next week, charged with attempted murder and heinous battery. Prosecutors allege Garcia planned the attack and hired the teens while Olivera-Garcia drove the teens to the spot where they attacked Medina. All three teens plan to testify against the pair when the trial gets underway. A third suspect, Linda Dirzo, died late last year. As for Medina, 50, it's been a long, painful recovery but she's hopeful heading into next week's trial. The Tribune caught up with Medina and talked to her about the incident as well as her relationship with Karli Butler, a victim of a similar acid attack years ago. more ›

A suspect in last year's Logan Square acid attack has died, according to officials. Linda Dirzo died yesterday afternoon at Stroger Hospital. At the time of her death, she was still in jail awaiting trial for her part in the attack. According to the Tribune, "Officials said she had a history of liver cirrhosis and believe her death was natural. An autopsy is scheduled for later today." Dirzo was charged as one of the adults that drove the teens who carried out the attack on 48-year-old Esperanza Medina. Prosecutors alleged Ofelia Garcia masterminded the attack because she believed Medina was seeing her ex-husband. Dirzo had pleaded not guilty last December. more ›

Ofelia Garcia, 59, Maria Olvera-Garcia, 35, and Linda Dirzo, 58, have pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree murder and several counts of heinous battery stemming from an acid attack against Esperanza Medina in Logan Square this summer. Police believe Garcia hatched the plan because she thought Medina was seeing her ex-husband. The trio hired a trio of teens to attack Medina; she suffered third-degree burns over 25 percent of her body and may lose sight in one eye as a result of the attack. Two of the teens have already been charged in the attack. Dirzo has already admitted to driving the teens to the scene of the attack. more ›