Teacher Murder Update: This Evidence Awaits Testing

JOLIET, IL - Pretrial preparations are underway at the Will County Courthouse in the case involving Washington Junior High School teacher Michael Kazecki, who stands accused of beating his wife Becky to death at the family's McDonough Street home in early August. Becky Kazecki, 38, died on Aug. 7 at the hospital. She, too, was a District 86 teacher, at Gompers Junior High School. This month, Will County Judge Daniel Rippy was notified the prosecution intends to submit the following items for forensic testing as part of their effort to show the court that Michael Kazecki harmed his wife over the course of three days, Aug. 4-6.

"The defendant is alleged to have beaten the victim, Rebecca Kazecki, about the body causing the injuries that killed her," the Will County State's Attorney's motion reads.

The items slated for scientific testing include:

• The DNA card of the victim
• One Hoover heated steamcleaner
• One pair of black LA Galaxy sandals
• One blue men's tank top
• One bottom sheet from bunk bed
• Buccal swabs containing DNA samples of two minor Kazecki children.
• One buccal swab containing DNA samples of defendant Michael Kazecki.

"The items have been submitted to the Illinois State Police Laboratory for forensic analysis," stated Assistant State's Attorney Erin Krone. The "DNA testing procedure that will be used by the lab to analyze any DNA present on the evidence collected may result in consumption of any DNA present during laboratory testing procedures and The People are hereby providing notice of this fact to the defendant."

Authorities have said Michael Kazecki left his wife brain dead and ultimately called police dispatchers claiming that his wife may have suffered alcohol poisoning. He was later taken to the Joliet Police station and interviewed by two veteran homicide detectives. Afterward, he was booked into Will County and charged with three counts of first-degree murder as well as aggravated domestic battery.

Meanwhile, Michael Kazecki remains on paid suspension from Joliet Public School District 86 while his criminal case unfolds. He regained his freedom on Aug. 29 after his parents wired $200,000 to come up with 10 percent of his $2 million bail, which was set on Aug. 8 by Associate Judge Ben Braun.

Braun, who is running for an elected position as Will County Circuit Court Judge in November against fellow Associate Judge David Garcia, rejected the suggestion of the Will County State's Attorney's Office to set bail at $5 million.

These days, Rippy is the presiding judge assigned to the case. The next pretrial hearing in his courtroom is set for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15. In the meantime, the murder defendant "is to have no contact with his minor children or their guardian," court records show.

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Mugshot of Michael Kazecki via Will County Sheriff