O'Laughlin murder trial scheduled to start in May

Just over two years after Lyons Township High School freshmen Kelly O'Laughlin, 14, was fatally stabbed in her Indian Head Park home after returning from school, the trial of her accused killer has been scheduled for May.

Cook County Associate Judge John J. Hynes approved a request from the Cook Country State's Attorney's Office and defense attorneys for the trial to begin May 19, according to media reports.

O'Laughlin was found by her family Oct. 27 in her home in the 6300 block of Keokuck Avenue with multiple stab wounds. John L. Wilson Jr., of Chicago, was arrested a week later and charged with first degree murder in her death.

At a press conference in Indian Head Park on Nov. 4, 2011, Indian Head Park police, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez described the "horrific" circumstances of her death and said Wilson was found with several items stolen from the home in his possession. Police also said they used O'Laughlin and Wilson's own cell phone to track his location. Police also recovered DNA evidence from a knit cap they said was used to break a window in the home to gain entry.

Wilson was on parole for a 2003 robbery after he served more than half of his 11-year sentence at the time he was arrested.

Wilson is being held without bail on the charges in a state prison because of the violation of his parole.