Verdict In Dog's Death Leaves Defense Lawyer Happy: Paper

JOLIET, IL — After taking several weeks to review the evidence, Will County Circuit Judge Daniel Rippy found Joseph Siwek not guilty of two felony charges surrounding the death of the defendant's former girlfriend's Chihuahua, according to a story published by The Joliet Herald-News. However, the judge found the defendant guilty of a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge. The case was investigated by the Channahon Police.

Following the verdict, Siwek's criminal defense lawyer spoke with The Herald-News, which assigned one of its reporters to be in Judge Rippy's courtroom for Friday's announcement. "We're pleased with the judge's ruling," attorney Nicholas Faklis was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Patch has reported about the case since Siwek's arrest by Channahon Police in October 2017. He was accused of killing a female Chihuahua, belonging to his girlfriend at the time, by striking the dog in its head, causing it to suffer and die. Siwek had harmed the dog between Sept. 24 and 25, 2017, court documents show.

Joseph Siwek is a former Shorewood resident who now lives in Bartlett.