Created by Brian Rosenthal
A former Northwestern student arrested in connection with the June death of freshman Matthew Sunshine will not stand trial this school year, the prosecutor said Monday afternoon.
Alexander Krzyston, 22, of Burr Ridge, Ill. , has pleaded not guilty to a charge of providing vodka to Sunshine on the night the SESP freshman died of alcohol poisoning.
The prosecutor, Cook County state’s attorney Victoria Klegman, met with Krzyston’s defense attorney in Skokie Circuit Court on Friday for a routine status hearing. Another hearing is scheduled for May 27, and Klegman said there is no chance the parties will be ready by then.
Two messages left for Chicago defense attorney Gary Adair were not returned.
Sunshine died in June after attending a party in his dorm, Foster House, 2253 Sheridan Road. According to police, Krzyston allegedly supplied the alcohol for a drinking game at the party.
Police said the 19-year-old was found unresponsive the next morning with a blood alcohol level of 0.396.
Police arrested Krzyston on Dec. 16, and charged him with unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor, a felony charge when it results in death, carrying a possible sentence of one to three years in prison and a maximum $25,000 fine. He pleaded not guilty on Feb. 11.
Krzyston is one of two former NU students charged in connection with Sunshine’s death.
Police arrested Rohith Olin Banerjee, 21, of Orinda, Calif., on Jan. 28. He received an identical charge to Krzyston, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Both Krzyston and Banerjee were last enrolled at NU during Spring Quarter 2008, according to the Registrar’s office. Neither has graduated.
Klegman declined to comment on whether any other students will be charged.
