Burr Ridge Murder Trial Pushed to September

An expert analyzing Internet queries John Gilbert allegedly made before the 2009 death of Jason Dragos said she needs more time to attempt to replicate DuPage County Sheriff's search results finding Gilbert's alleged research of .

Prosecutors accepted a motion Gilbert's counsel made Monday to file a computer expert's report at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 12.

The expert, Constance Rajala of Sterling Network Integration, Inc., wrote in a letter that her firm is finding issues with the Sheriff's report that "conflict with Sterling's understanding of the Microsoft XP operating system and restore points, as well as Internet history files."

Among those conflicts, Rajala said, was that the browser on Gilbert's laptop was set up to delete both Internet history and cache once closed, and restore points the Sheriff's office referenced in its report only pertained to files constituting the XP Operating system and not user files such as those from Gilbert's Google toolbar.

"Sterling is unable to replicate the Sheriff's search results," Rajala stated in a letter. "Given the discrepancies in the Sheriff's report and the Encase bookmarks, versus the way in which Windows XP functions, Sterling will need additional time to dissect the police reports and explain in technical details why reports from the Sheriff are misleading and in error."

Gilbert was charged with in 2009 after allegedly shooting coworker Jason Dragos at SAIA Trucking. Prosecutors allege that Gilbert then wrote a phony resignation letter via e-mail from Dragos, including claims that Dragos was asked to "secretly follow" Gilbert.

Gilbert's attorney, Jed Stone, said Dragos was still alive when Gilbert left SAIA the day of the murder, and was checked into a hospital when the resignation letter was sent via e-mail.

"We know from cell tower evidence where John Gilbert was," said Stone. "Medical records show he checked into the hospital before the e-mail left SAIA."

Prosecutors accepted the request, and said they do not "anticipate" any significant developments to arise from Rajala's report that would change their approach toward Gilbert's case.

Rajala's report will be filed at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 12. Jury selection and the opening of Gilbert's murder trial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 1.