In a recent court ruling that has sparked an outcry from the Oak Lawn community, Leanne Cusack was cited for speeding but will face no criminal charges after hitting and fatally injuring Murod Kurdi. According to the ABC7 report, the Cook County Circuit Judge has ordered Cusack to pay a fine and complete community service, falling short of the justice sought by Kurdi's family and supporters.
Kurdi, 28, was tragically struck on June 5 in front of his home. In spite of surveillance footage capturing the incident and admission by Cusack to having consumed alcohol before driving, Oak Lawn police determined they lacked probable cause for a DUI charge. In a trial that concluded on Tuesday, Cusack was cited for her failure to slow down but avoided more severe repercussions. "I believe justice was not done," Kurdi's mother, Fadia Muhamad, told WLS in an interview following the verdict.
At the Bridgeview Courthouse, about 50 people came to support Kurdi's family, with some wearing keffiyehs and hijabs as symbols of their unity. Throughout the trial, the call for more severe charges was strong, especially after it was revealed that Cusack had been drinking prior to getting behind the wheel. The Chicago Tribune noted the frustration of Kurdi's family at the outcome, which they feel insufficiently punishes Cusack for her role in the tragedy.
The contentious case has highlighted questions surrounding the Oak Lawn Police Department's handling of the incident. Familiy's attorney claimed in a post-trial news conference that despite defense assertions, there was no record of a 911 call made directly from Cusack's phone after the collision. Meanwhile, in a move to further seek redress, a wrongful death lawsuit remains pending against the driver and the Oak Lawn bar where she was served. "I no longer have a brother but she just has to take a class and pay 750 bucks," said Suphi Kurdi during an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
Despite the plea for harsher consequences from the victim's loved ones, it appears that the traffic citation and accompanying penalties will stand as the final word in this case. Defense attorney Bob Olson expressed no intention to appeal the judge's decision, hoping to put an end to a trial that has tested the community's patience and sense of justice.
