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Community Corner

New Trial Date Set for Accused Arsonist

Judge Daniel Shanes pushes the trial date back to August for Libertyville resident Kyle Kowal.

A Lake County judge on Tuesday agreed to push back an accused arsonist’s trial to August. 

Kyle Kowal, 26, of Libertyville, is charged with . His defense attorney, Laura Horner, told Judge Daniel B. Shanes she needs more time to gather information. 

Kowal allegedly set fire to two Libertyville homes, attempted to set fire to two other homes, and burglarized The Picnic Basket restaurant in late March. If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 30 years in prison. 

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He was arrested within a week of the crimes and was remanded to the Lake County Jail. During a pre-trial hearing in early May, . 

He has since been on 24-hour curfew at his parents’ Libertyville home. He is only allowed to leave for work, attorney visits and treatment for alcohol abuse. Kowal has been in an outpatient treatment center in Hoffman Estates, and he finishes treatment Tuesday, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Rod Drobinski. Kowal is expected to begin treatment at another outpatient facility. 

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As part of his probation, Kowal must phone pre-trial bond services before he leaves the house and when he returns. The judge admonished Kowal on Tuesday for neglecting to make the required phone call one time after returning from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Libertyville. 

Anther pre-trial hearing is slated for Aug. 11. The trial is scheduled for Aug. 22.

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