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In a significant verdict, a jury has found two men guilty of the brutal murder of a Highland Park resident, a husband and father, who was fatally beaten outside his home nearly four years ago.
On Saturday, Nicholas Caban, aged 23, and Jacob Firestone, aged 22, were both convicted of second-degree murder for their roles in the tragic death of Matthew Ascaridis on September 17, 2022.
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According to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force was called to Fort Sheridan Beach at approximately 5:15 a.m. on the day of the incident, where they discovered the lifeless body of 45-year-old Ascaridis.
During the trial, Ascaridis’s wife recounted the events of September 16, 2022. She testified that as they were preparing for a trip around 11 p.m., they were disturbed by loud noises outside their home. Ascaridis reportedly contacted the police twice to report the commotion. However, he was informed around 1 a.m. that there would be a delay before an officer could respond. After this conversation, Ascaridis decided to head to the beach.
The Forest Preserve officer, who communicated with Ascaridis that night, testified that he arrived at Fort Sheridan Beach around 2:15 a.m. in response to the noise complaint. However, he did not observe any unusual activity or noise upon his arrival.
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Law enforcement officers testified that they responded to Caban’s home around 5:20 a.m. after he called 911 to report an altercation. When officers arrived, they saw Firestone lying on the front yard and Caban standing nearby. Both men appeared injured but conscious.
One investigator told jurors that the Highland Park Police Department later interviewed Caban, who claimed that he and Firestone had a confrontation with Ascaridis and that Ascaridis had fallen on the beach.
Another investigator testified that during an interview at the hospital, Firestone claimed that Ascaridis beat both him and Caban. Prosecutors later argued that Firestone’s claims were inconsistent with medical testimony and DNA evidence recovered from blood found at the scene.
During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that after the brutal beating, the defendants did not call police until hours later. Instead, prosecutors said, the defendants left Ascaridis alone on the beach, unable to move and gasping for air, before he succumbed to his injuries.
The next court date for Firestone and Caban is scheduled for June 18.
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