Charges in Matthew Sunshine case reduced

The families of Matthew Sunshine and Alexander Krzyston hugged tearfully at the conclusion of Krzyston's hearing today at the Cook County Circuit Court, 5600 Old Orchard Road.

Krzyston, a former McCormick student, had been charged with a class four felony for providing the alcohol that caused Sunshine's death in June 2008 and pleaded not guilty.

Sunshine, a SESP freshman, was found dead in his room in Foster House, 2253 Sheridan Road, on June 10, 2008 with a blood alcohol level of 0.396.

The charges against Krzyston were reduced to a class A misdemeanor Monday, providing alcohol to underage persons, to which Krzyston pleaded guilty. Though Krzyston had been prosecuted by the state, Sunshine's parents and their lawyer attended the hearing.

Timothy Tomasik, the Sunshine family lawyer, said the family is pleased with the decision but has had a difficult day. Tomasik, who works for Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices, said both parents "fully endorse" the decision to lower the charge.

The terms of this agreement require Krzyston to serve two years under supervision of the court and to be involved actively in The Red Watch Band Program. The program was founded in Sunshine's memory at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, N.Y. where his mother, Suzanne Fields, is a professor of medicine.

Fields read a statement at the hearing, explaining the program and her family's wishes for Krzyston to be able to "get on with his life and contribute to society as a responsible and productive citizen."

"We trust that Mr. Krzyston views this as an opportunity to promote and enhance a program whose goal is to make high school and university campuses kinder and safer places for students," Fields said.

Fields said The Red Watch Band Program, founded by the president of Stony Brook University at the time of Sunshine's death, seeks to educate students about alcohol toxicity and emergency procedures, such as calling 911. Its other objective is "cultivating a campus climate of compassion, kindness and respect," encouraging students to be "watching out for one another."

Recently, Krzyston traveled to Stony Brook University to recieve training for the program, Fields said.

Circuit Court Judge Garritt Howard said Krzyston's sentence is contingent upon his staying involved with the program. Howard scheduled a meeting for July 1 to check up on his participation with the program.

At the end of the hearing, Krzyston took a moment to apologize.

"I apologize with all my heart to the friends and family of Matthew Sunshine," he said. "I look forward to working with The Red Watch Band Program, so nothing like this ever happens again."

a.elkin@u.northwestern.edu