Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine plans to introduce murder suspect Timothy Banowetz’s internet search history at his trial next month for allegedly killing asbestos attorney Randy Gori.
According to the notice of intent to introduce the evidence filed July 28, Assistant State’s Attorney Jacob Harlow wrote that Banowetz’s search history provides “motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.”
“In this case, admission of this evidence is critical because it contains facts necessary for the jury to understand the circumstances surrounding Randy Gori’s death and to likewise show the defendant’s state of mind when he robbed and killed Randy Gori on January 4, 2020.
4586 Mooney Creek Road, Edwardsville
“More specifically, the defendant’s Internet research … is evidence of the defendant’s financial motive and it paints a clearer picture for the jury of the defendant’s overarching preparation and plan in the absence of the defendant having a personal connection to Randy Gori,” Harlow wrote.
The motion states that Gori and Banowetz were “not personally acquainted,” but Banowetz allegedly used his computer to research Gori in the months leading up to the planned armed robbery and murder.
“Randy Gori was also well known in the community for being a wealthy attorney and businessman and he was active on social media,” Harlow wrote.
Banowetz was also allegedly using his computer to research Bradley Herschend, “whose family business owns amusement parks across the country and has been featured on a popular television show called Undercover Boss.”
Herschend is program coordinator for Silver Dollar City Foundation, according to his LinkedIn page.
Additionally, Banowetz is accused of researching serial killers and related conduct prior to the murder.
“In Illinois, it is well established that evidence of other conduct by a defendant, while generally not admissible to show his propensity to commit a crime, may be admissible for purposes recognized by common law … such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident,” Harlow wrote.
On July 20, Harlow also filed separate notices of intent to introduce certified copies of records as evidence at trial. He seeks to introduce Charter Communications records pertaining to the IP address of 97.86.161.46 from Dec. 31, 2019, at 7:16 p.m. and 7:17 p.m. He also seeks to introduce Google records for queries on its servers for “1143 Pritckett” in Edwardsville on Dec. 31, 2019.
Madison County Public Defender Mary Copeland filed a supplemental answer to discovery on Aug. 10 to include Clinical Psychologist Dr. Daniel Cuneo’s report and diagnosis from Aug. 5.
On Aug. 30, Copeland filed a list of witnesses for the trial, which included Cuneo and “any and all witnesses listed by the state.”
Haine’s predecessor Tom Gibbons put together a list of 178 witnesses to testify against Banowetz.
Trial is set to begin Oct. 4.
Gori was found dead in his rural Edwardsville home located at 4586 Mooney Creek Rd. late in the evening on Jan. 4, 2020, having been stabbed and cut. Banowetz is accused of ordering Gori and two minors to the ground and binding their hands. During the event, the suspect allegedly took cell phones from the minors and money from Gori.
During a press conference following the murder, David Vucich, who is a captain with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and commander of the Major Case Squad activated in this case, said Banowetz had been in the home for an “extended” period of time and was not injured.
Vucich said Banowetz was found by Major Case Squad officers in a wooded area about 1,200 feet from the home.
The 2020 Rolls Royce SUV Cullinan that Banowetz allegedly stole after the crime was found on an unpaved roadway off Zika Lane.
Banowetz is charged with three counts of first degree murder and three counts of armed robbery.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-CF-53