'Alcohol, Machismo and 3-1/2-Blade' Led To Olaska's Murderous Actions, Berlin Says

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said that Daniel Olaska’s “combination of alcohol, machismo and 3 ½-inch blade led to the death of a fine young man.”

Olaska, 30, was found guilty of first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Shaun Wild, a 24-year-old Naperville elementary teacher following a seven-day-long trial in front of DuPage County Chief Judge Kathryn Creswell.

The jury reached their verdict Wednesday evening after approximately six hours of deliberations. In addition to the guilty verdict for first degree murder, Olaska was found guilty of unlawful use of a weapon during a bar fight that took place at Frankie’s Blue Room in downtown Naperville.

He was acquitted on two attempted murder counts in the stabbing of Wild’s friend, William Hayes III, and bar staff member Rafael Castenada.

Olaska’s attorneys argued that their client was acting in self defense the night he allegedly stabbed his way out of Frankie’s Blue Room.

At the time of the stabbings, Olaska, a Naperville North graduate, was living at home with his parents after earning undergraduate degrees in history and aviation management. During his testimony on the stand, Olaska said he carried the 3 ½ pocket knife for use at his job as a manager at Schaumburg Regional Airport.

Olaska arrived at the Naperville bar around 9 p.m. Feb. 3, 2012. DuPage County prosecutors said that Olaska’s rage built throughout evening after he was rejected by a woman on the dance floor, who testified that Olaska was “a little too handsy.”

At approximately 12:40 a.m., Olaska was seated at a booth when he was joined by Hayes, whom he had just met that evening. The defense argued that Hayes was brought to the table after Olaska made fun of his “tight shirt.”

Hayes, who admitted he was intoxicated and didn’t recall too much of the evening, joked about Olaska “drinking beer from a wine glass.” The two engaged in a verbal altercation when prosecutors said that Olaska stabbed Hayes in the chest with his pocket knife.

Wild, who had tried to steer away Hayes away from the booth, attempted to stop Olaska from leaving when he was fatally stabbed “front to back” through the heart. When Olaska tried leaving the bar again, he was stopped by bouncer Castenada, whom he stabbed in the arm, prosecutors said.

Wild died of his injuries and Hayes and Castenada have since recovered.

As jurors deliberated into the night, Judge Creswell suggested that they reconvene the next morning, but jurors said they had almost finished going through all the counts and delivered their verdicts around 9:20 p.m.

“This senseless murder of Shaun Wild has left a hole in the hearts of Shaun’s family and friends that can never be filled” Berlin said. “I like to thank the jury for seeing through Mr. Olaska’s claims of self-defense. I would also like to thank Judge Creswell for ensuring a fair trial for both sides. I would like to thank the Naperville Police Department for their fine work the evening of the murder as well as for their assistance throughout this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Bernie Murray and Demetri Demopoulos for their outstanding efforts in holding Mr. Olaska responsible for the murder of Shaun Wilde.”

Olaska’s attorney Ernie DiBenedetto said they would appeal the verdict.

Olaska’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 9 for return of the presentence report. He faces a maximum penalty of up to natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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