Sentencing recommendation delayed in deadly Glenview crash case

Yeah, guys, the family and a number of friends, relatives of Marco Nikotic, the 17-year-old who was killed two and a half years ago this week. The person accused of that killing was in court today. It was expected that the judge would give a recommended sentence for Tae Young Kim, but that did not happen. Instead, court was continued for a pre-sentence investigation. That's expected to happen in January. But friends and family of Marco and his girlfriend, Ella, the time, did address cameras after that hearing and even before the hearing today. They sent out a statement saying they are asking for more severe charges, they're asking for a full murder charge, not the aggravated DUI or reckless homicide charges Kim is facing now. So here's what they had to say after that hearing. Take a listen. It was so violent that Marco's family heard it from their own house. Marco was killed. He protected her to the very end. I truly believe that. Ella is not Ella was 16. She lived. She has carried that night every day since I lost my brother almost three years ago now and it's just a surreal experience to see everybody that's affected by this court case by this everything. It's unbelievable and especially with the recent news of that McHenry boat crash incident happening 26 days that brings some sort of justice to the family. Nothing can bring justice to my brother. He's dead, you know, and This is not going to help, but I hope that something can change and this can be something that will help future families, future victims. Everybody knows not to be dumb. And I just want everybody to learn from this case and make everything better for my brother, my family, Ella's family, all my friends, all my little brother's friends. It's crazy. Again, you heard the family reference that McHenry County boat crash from this summer. Using that as almost legal precedent, saying that's why they want a murder charge in this case. But the charges the defendant, Tae Young Kim, are facing is aggravated DUI, two counts of aggravated DUI, reckless homicide, and a number of traffic violations. Prosecutors say Kim was driving 100 miles over the speed limit, turned off his lights, ran a red light, And then slammed into 17-year-old Marco Nikitich as he was turning left in the area of Lake This happened back in 2024 on Mother's Day. Prosecutors say Kim had alcohol and weed in his system at the time and was clocked at going 131 miles an hour on the 35 mile an hour Lake Avenue. His own dash cam catching the crash according to prosecutors. Now again this crash happened on Mother's Day in 2024. The impact so strong it split the 17 year old's car in half. Marco died at the scene. The crash also sent one of the We'll Marco's girlfriend, she was in Marco's car at the time. He injuries were bleeding on her brain, a broken pelvis. She suffered a seizure as a result. Kim had non-life-threatening injuries. Now he pleaded not guilty to his charges back. Since his first arrest in 2024, now I did get a chance to talk with his defense attorneys as well and asking about that possible charge. And they just said per law, this is the charges that he is applicable for or that apply to this case. And they also said these cases are just tough in general because often the defendant doesn't have a very long criminal history. And in terms of Kim, he did have some traffic violations on his record, but they seemingly were minor guys, But there is still just a lot of them. emotions here. The family calling on state's attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke to up those charges. And just within the last 10 minutes, I did reach out to the state's attorney's office to see if we can get information or details on why the charges are what they are in this case and why they're not higher as what the family is wishing. We haven't heard back yet, but I'll let you guys know if I do hear back. I'll send it back to you guys for now.