Beecher Tragedy: Sean Woulfe's Trial Gets Underway 5 Years Later

JOLIET, IL — Nearly five years after the deaths of 29-year-old Lindsey Schmidt and three of her children, Kaleb, Owen and Weston, at a rural Beecher intersection, the reckless homicide trial for criminal defendant Sean Woulfe gets underway this week at the Will County Courthouse.

Jury selection was set to start Tuesday at the courthouse. The trial is taking place in Courtroom 402 of Will County Circuit Judge Daniel Rippy.

Woulfe is being represented by downtown Joliet criminal defense lawyer George Lenard.

Woulfe faces 16 counts of reckless homicide in connection with the July 24, 2017 crash. Lindsey Schmidt was also pregnant with her fourth child at the time of her death.

Will County prosecutors contend that Woulfe was speeding at least 20 mph over the 55 mph limit when he ignored the stop sign on Corning Road at the intersection of Yates Avenue. His 2002 Chevy S-10 struck Lindsey Schmidt's 2014 Subaru Outback.

In August 2017, Will County Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt signed a warrant for Woulfe's arrest. Will County Sheriff's deputies arrested Woulfe at his home in Beecher without any problems. Just weeks before the crash, Woulfe had moved to Beecher from Manteno.

During an August 2017 news conference, Will County State's Attorney Glasgow and Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley agreed that the previous month's tragedy was devastating for the Beecher area and the family of victim Lindsey Schmidt.

Throughout the investigation, Will County officials remained in regular contact with Lindsey Schmidt's husband, to keep him and other family members in the loop about the status of their investigation.

"Obviously, he's a God-fearing man," Glasgow said at the time. "He deserves tremendous credit. He's a very strong person, a very religious person."

On Aug. 25, 2017, Will County Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes lowered Woulfe's $1 million bail to $250,000. Woulfe's family posted the necessary 10 percent, which was $25,000 cash after Woulfe had spent four days in the Will County Jail.

He has remained free, awaiting trial, ever since.

During an August 2017 court hearing covered by Joliet Patch, Woulfe's attorney George Lenard emphasized the Beecher tragedy, though horrific, was not an intentional act.

Lenard also stressed the reckless homicide charges against his client, are, under Illinois statue, probationary offenses.

Theoretically, his client, even if convicted, still stands a decent chance of receiving court probation, as opposed to prison time, Woulfe's lawyer reminded the court.

Previous Joliet Patch coverage:

Man Drove 75 MPH When He Killed Beecher Family: Glasgow

How To Help The Schmidt Family After Tragic Crash Claims Lives Of Mother, Sons

Third Child Dies After Crash That Killed Pregnant Mom, Toddlers