The Kane County State’s Attorney will not file charges against the cops involved in a 2023 police chase that killed an Aurora man and a K-9 officer.
The state’s attorney revealed the officers’ body camera film, which shows them firing a total of 18 bullets at the suspect following a more-than-10-minute high-speed chase through numerous suburbs, which investigators claimed followed a month-long criminal spree.
In May 223, three Kane County sheriff’s deputies and a sergeant engaged in a high-speed pursuit that resulted in the shooting death of James Moriarty, 38.
State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser provided a detailed description of the inquiry.
“Mr. Moriarty had several different incidents with law enforcement, law enforcement that included domestic violence, theft, criminal damage to state supported property, and several incidents of aggravated fleeing and looting,” she said.
She said Moriarty was being monitored by Aurora police and the Kane County Sheriff’s Department.
Prosecutors said Moriarty carjacked a woman and, when surrounded by authorities, got out with a weapon subsequently identified as an airsoft rifle.
“Multiple deputies gave commands to Mr. Moriarty that included ‘show us your hands,’ ‘put your hands up,’ ‘get on the ground,’ and ‘drop the weapon,'” Mosser said. “Moriarty refused to comply with every single one of these. As Moriarty went to the back of the Honda Accord, a gun can be seen in his right hand, pointing down on the video.”
A significant section of the investigation focused on Sgt. Michael Widlarz, who was witnessed turning off the audio in his squad car and on his body-worn cameras.
“I believe that Sergeant Widlarz knowingly and intentionally turned out the audio to his body worn camera in violation of the statute,” Mosser said.
However, he will not be charged; rather, he will be disciplined, albeit it is unclear how.
“Some of my command staff who reviews these policies on a regular basis are not in complete agreement with the attorney’s assessment, but we are very thankful for the conclusion that she came to, exonerating Sergeant Widlarz from all wrongdoing,” Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said.
