Family of slain Beverly teen sues accused, family

The parents of a Chicago teenager who police said was killed after another Chicago teen punched him at an Indiana beach July 4 filed a wrongful death lawsuit Wednesday against the teen accused of throwing the punch, his sister and his mother.

James Malecek, of Chicago, is charged in LaPorte County, Ind., with aggravated battery, involuntary manslaughter and battery in the death of Kevin Kennelly Jr., 17, who lived in the Beverly neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. Malecek has pleaded not guilty.

Malecek, who was 19 at the time of the incident, is accused of punching Kennelly in the head at a beach in the 2600 block of Lake Shore Drive in Long Beach, Ind. Police said Kennelly was unconscious when they arrived. He died less than two days later in a Crown Point hospital. An autopsy report said Kennelly, who had just completed his junior year at Mount Carmel High School, died of blunt force trauma to the head.

Family of slain Beverly teen sues accused, family