Ottawa murder case continued to fall

The trial date for an Ottawa murder case has again been delayed.

But both the defense and the prosecution agree on the decision.

Kenneth Cusick, 51, was charged in February 2017 with murdering his wife, Tracy Cusick, in January 2006 in their Ottawa home. The trial was expected to begin Monday, but Circuit Judge Cynthia Raccuglia Thursday agreed to a joint motion that the date be pushed into the fall.

Greg Sticka, of the La Salle County State's Attorney's Office, said both parties expect more information to come from expert witnesses that will need to be resolved prior to trial.

Defense attorney Ryan Hamer concurred and noted more time will be needed to ensure availability of witnesses for the trial dates.

Raccuglia said she was "not pleased" to move the trial date later into the year but acknowledged both sides are working very hard to make the trial "manageable." She also acknowledged the potential sentence, of 20 to 60 years in prison if found guilty, as being severe and worthy of both parties being as prepared as possible for the case.

"I have no alternative than to grant this continuance," Raccuglia said. "But I'm going to make sure this case is done in 2019."

A new trial date will be set on Thursday, July 25, as well as a follow-up hearing on additional motions.