Wrongful Death Suit Filed in 2009 Murder at Saia Motor and Freight

A Chicago man charged with the 2009 murder of Jason Dragos in Burr Ridge now faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Dragos' widow.

John G. Gilbert, 47, has been in DuPage County Jail for nearly two years since his arrest in the Dragos killing. Tracy Dragos' lawsuit was filed Feb. 7, alleging Gilbert shot her husband to death.

DuPage County prosecutors have said Gilbert shot Jason Dragos at Saia Motor and Freight, where the men worked, on Feb. 8, 2009. Another coworker found Dragos in a closet with a bullet wound under his left ear, court records show.

In a variety of court filings during the case, prosecutors state that Gilbert - Dragos' supervisor - wrote and emailed a supposed resignation letter from Dragos. The claim is supported by evidence the letter was generated by Gilbert's home computer, documents show.

Additionally, prosecutors indicate Gilbert told another Saia coworker of plans to write up Dragos, whom Gilbert thought was after his job, records show.

Prosecutors and Gilbert's defense have argued over whether jurors should hear details of Gilbert's background and training as a part-time police officer in three suburbs, as well as an issue with text messages tied to the case.

Those matters have yet to be resolved by Circuit Judge George Bakalis, who has scheduled Gilbert's trial to begin on May 17. Attorneys return to court on Feb. 23.

The four-page civil complaint, filed in Cook County, offers no new details of Dragos' death and only the basic allegation that Gilbert showed up armed for the Sunday morning meeting and shot Dragos. First-degree murder charges were filed against Gilbert in March 2009, according to the DuPage County States Attorney.

Dragos, a resident of Highland, IN, is survived by his wife and three children, the suit states.

 * A clarification has been made in this story. The original story stated that the lawsuit was filed Monday. The date of Feb. 7 has been added for clarification.