Judge allows wiretaps in Waukeganite’s murder trial
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com March 12, 2013 5:22PM
Roberto Guzman
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Updated: April 14, 2013 6:10AM
“Someone is gonna die. Swear to God, dude.”
That’s what Roberto Guzman said in a conversation taped by federal drug agents. He also talked about luring a “black guy” with a fake drug deal to “get him.” Two days after the phone call, Guzman called his friend back to say he got the guy.
Guzman, 25, of Waukegan is charged with first-degree murder for his role in allegedly killing David Campbell, 27, on July 5, 2011.
Guzman phoned a friend several times in late June and early July. He did not know at the time that his conversation was being recorded by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents because his friend was under a criminal drug investigation.
Transcripts of those phone calls and affidavits of DEA agents are evidence that defense attorney Thomas Glasgow unsuccessfully sought to keep from Guzman’s upcoming trial.
Lake County Circuit Court Judge Mark Levitt ruled Tuesday to allow the wiretap evidence at Guzman’s trial set for May 6.
“Guzman was not a target in any of these affidavits. That bears upon my (ruling),” Levitt said. “(He) was not a target. He was someone more or less caught up in that conversation.”
Guzman is accused of luring Campbell to a Waukegan body shop using the drug deal ploy. Campbell was tortured with a blowtorch, beaten with a hammer and then strangled to death, authorities said. The Waukegan man’s body then was dumped in a pond in a Barrington area forest preserve.
The taped conversation was that of Guzman and his friend talking about another of Guzman’s friends, Nadia Palacios, who allegedly had been sexually assaulted. Guzman talked about the murder as retaliation for the rape, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Ken LaRue. Campbell was mistakenly identified by Palacios as the rapist, authorities have said.
Palacios, Jose Horta, Eric Castilla and Guzman were charged with Campbell’s murder.
Guzman has pleaded not guilty. He is in custody at Lake County Jail without bond.
