Former Glendale Heights resident found guilty of murder, prosecutors

A jury has found Richard Goodwin, 59, formerly of Glendale Heights, guilty of the 2021 murder of Hanover Park resident Marek Krywko.

The jury returned their verdict Friday after deliberating for approximately 16 hours following a four-day-long trial. In all, the jury found Goodwin guilty of one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.

About 7:47 p.m. Aug. 2, 2021, Hanover Park police responded to a residence on Pebblebeach Drive for a gunshot victim. As officers responded to the scene, a second call came for another gunshot victim, later identified as Marek Krywko, at the same location, authorities said.

Officers found the initial victim outside the residence with a gunshot wound to her left thigh. Inside the residence, officers found Krywko with a gunshot wound to his left thigh striking his femoral artery. First aid was administered to both victims, but Krywko remained unresponsive and was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. He was pronounced dead a short time later, according to the release.

Following an investigation, authorities learned that Goodwin and two females were at the residence to purchase marijuana from Krywko. When the female victim gave Goodwin a bottle of water, he shot her. Goodwin then shot Krywko before fleeing the scene with the two females. He was arrested on Aug. 25, 2021, from his home without incident.

“This afternoon, after being presented with all the evidence, a jury found Richard Goodwin guilty of the senseless murder of Marek Krywko,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release “I thank the jury for their service and for seeing through Mr. Goodwin’s claim of innocence. I also thank Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh for ensuring a fair trial for both sides.

“While a guilty verdict cannot bring Marek back to those who loved him, perhaps Marek’s surviving friends and relatives may find some measure of justice knowing that the man responsible for his murder will be held accountable.”

Goodwin’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 4 for post-trial motions and return of the pre-sentence report.