Judge Upholds Order Blocking Accused Murderer from Visit with Son

DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin said he had "no compelling reason" to lift a protective order barring triple-murder suspect Johnny Borizov from potential visits with his 2-year-old son.

Guerin cited the murder indictments against Borizov related to the March shooting deaths of three people related to the young boy's mother and discounted the idea that only a child psychologist could speak to the potential harm associated with a young person going to the jail for such a visit.

"I don't think you have to be an expert (to see) ... that it's not the best situation" for the boy to go into the jail, no matter how well it is planned, Guerin said. "Any parent can probably see that."

Borizov, 28, is being held without bail in DuPage County Jail on charges of murder, solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of Michael, Jeffrey and Lori Kramer. Angela Kramer, the mother of Borizov's son, survived by hiding in a closet inside her parent's home during the shootings.

, 24, of Countryside, faces three murder counts and one conspiracy count, and is accused of pulling the trigger in a plan orchestrated with Borizov, prosecutors allege.

After Borizov was charged, Guerin issued a March order that prohibited Borizov from any contact with the Kramer family and his son.

Borizov's attorneys, who argued the visitation issue would be best considered in domestic relations court, contend Borizov poses no threat behind glass and "under the watchful eye of (DuPage County Sheriff John) Zaruba" at the jail.

"How is he a danger to his son at this point?" Nicholas Kirkeles asked during the hearing.

Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Ruggiero said there is no reason to lift the protective order, mainly because the circumstances of the case remain the same as they were when Guerin made his initial no-contact ruling.

Ruggiero called the potential ramifications of a jailhouse visit "a nightmare" for the boy.

"You want to talk about psychological dangers to a child," he said.

While his attorneys have said Borizov "was involved in his son's life and had a strong parent-child relationship," according to court documents, Ruggiero pointed out Borizov has been in jail for almost half his son's life.

"(The boy) probably doesn't recognize or know this defendant," Ruggiero offered.

Kirkeles said Guerin was "wrong" and there was "probably a good chance we'll appeal the decision." Going to the appellate court would not disrupt the criminal case, he added.

Since Borizov's arrest, getting members of his family to see the young boy has been Kirkeles' goal. Prosecutors said the boy was with Borizov's family when the killings occurred on March 2.