SYCAMORE – Karar Albaiaty has reached a plea agreement with the state regarding armed robbery charges related to the 2005 murder of Frank Riccardi Jr. of Sycamore.
Albaiaty, 23, of Rockford has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery in connection with Riccardi's death. He was arrested May 13, 2008, two-and-a-half years after charges were filed against his co-defendant, Eric Laskowski, 23, of Kirkland. Laskowski was arrested Oct. 7, 2005, the day of the murder.
Albaiaty has agreed to testify on behalf of the state at Laskowski's trial, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 19, DeKalb County First Assistant State's Attorney Bill Engerman said. After the trial, he will plead guilty to the armed robbery charge and serve a 13-year prison sentence, his attorney, James Davidson, said. The charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
"I'm glad the wheels are starting to turn," said Frank Riccardi Sr., the victim's father.
No plea was formally entered Wednesday. Attorneys for the prosecution and defense advised Circuit Judge Robbin Stuckert that they had reached an agreement, but the plea will not be entered until after Albaiaty has testified truthfully in Laskowski's trial, they said.
Laskowski has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and one count each of armed robbery and possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver. His bond was set at $3 million.
Albaiaty continues to be held in the Boone County jail on $1 million bond. He will be back in court for a status hearing Sept. 29.
Police have said they believe that Laskowski and Albaiaty met Riccardi near a Kirkland hayfield between midnight and 2 a.m. Oct. 7, 2005, to sell marijuana. Riccardi was robbed of $1,900 and was killed at or just after 2 a.m., police have said. He is believed to have been beaten to death with an aluminum baseball bat, which has not been recovered. His body was found in the field later that morning.