Tearful Testimony From Nicarico Family During Dugan Trial
By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Oct 24, 2009 5:45PM
"No longer is the boogeyman a fairy tale," said Thomas Nicarico to the jury gathered at the DuPage County courtroom on Friday.
Jeanine Nicarico's family shared with a jury how the 10-year-old's 1983 murder haunted them, drawing tears from the audience, Chicago Breaking News reports.
Brian Dugan, who pleaded guilty in July 2009 for abducting, raping and murdering the little girl, "sat motionless" during the impact statements, the report said. The jury must determine
whether or not Dugan should receive the death penalty.
Jeanine's older sisters, Chris and Kathy Nicarico, described how after their wedding ceremonies they left a "well-deserved bridesmaid bouquet" at their sister's grave. Although the sisters never had the chance to decide, Jeanine "would always be our maid of honor for eternity," Chris Nicarico said, speaking on behalf of her and her sister.
Jeanine's mother, Patricia, shared her despair for having left her daughter home alone that day. Her daughter, sick with the flu, reassured her mother, she said.
"Don't worry, I will be OK," were Jeanine's last words to her, she said.
In the coming weeks, the jury will hear testimony from the defense about Dugan's "dysfunctional family and and abuse he suffered as a child," the report said. The defense is also believed to argue Dugan's offer to confess in 1985 would have kept two falsely convicted men off death row.