UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

EASTERN DIVISION

THOMAS M. JANUSZ, )

)

Plaintiff, )

) Case No. 03 C 4402

v. )

) Judge Joan B. Gottschall

CITY OF CHICAGO, ALAN LUCAS, )

PARRIS GEORGE, GINA LIBERTI, )

and AMY MUGAVERO LUCAS, )

)

Defendants. )

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER

Plaintiff Thomas Janusz brings claims under § 1983 for false arrest, unreasonable search, 

and conspiracy, and under state law for malicious prosecution and abuse of process. Before the 

court are the parties’ motions in limine. 

LEGAL STANDARD

“Although the Federal Rules of Evidence do not explicitly authorize in limine rulings, the 

practice has developed pursuant to the district court’s inherent authority to manage the course of 

trials.” Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 41 n.4 (1984). The court has broad discretion to rule 

on evidentiary questions raised in motions in limine. Jenkins v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 316 F.3d 

663, 664 (7th Cir. 2002). Nevertheless, a court should grant a motion in limine excluding 

evidence only when the movant shows that the evidence “is inadmissible on all potential 

grounds.” CDX Liquidating Trust ex rel. CDX Liquidating Trustee v. Venrock Assocs., 411 B.R. 

591, 597 (N.D. Ill. 2009) (citing Townsend v. Benya, 287 F. Supp. 2d 868, 872 (N.D. Ill. 2003), 

and Robenhorst v. Dematic Corp., No. 05 C 3192, 2008 WL 1821519, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 22, 

2008)). “‘[E]videntiary rulings should [ordinarily] be deferred until trial so that questions of 
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foundation, relevancy and potential prejudice may be resolved in proper context.’” Id. (quoting 

Hawthorne Partners v. AT&T Techs., Inc., 831 F. Supp. 1398, 1400 (N.D. Ill. 1993)). Rulings 

on motions in limine are preliminary; “the district court may adjust a motion in limine during the 

course of a trial.” Farfaras v. Citizens Bank & Trust of Chi., 433 F.3d 558, 565 (7th Cir. 2006) 

(citing Luce, 469 U.S. at 41-42); Luce, 469 U.S. at 41-42 (“[A] ruling [in limine] is subject to 

change when the case unfolds, particularly if the actual testimony differs from what was 

contained in the defendant’s proffer. Indeed even if nothing unexpected happens at trial, the 

district judge is free, in the exercise of sound judicial discretion, to alter a previous in limine

ruling.”). Accordingly, the parties may renew their objections at trial as appropriate.

Plaintiff’s Motion in Limine Number 1: To Bar Evidence or Testimony Regarding His 

Possession or Use of Drugs 

Janusz moves to bar any evidence that he possessed or used drugs before or after the 

night of his arrest. Defendants argue that Plaintiff’s use of cocaine is relevant because it “was 

known to the Defendants” and supports their assertion that they had probable cause to arrest 

Janusz. But Defendants do not explain how they could have known about Janusz’s drug use 

before they searched his apartment and found drugs, an event which occurred after Defendants

had already arrested Janusz. Evidence of Janusz’s drug use is irrelevant unless Defendants knew 

about it before they arrested him. Unless Defendants can establish at trial that this was the case, 

the court will not allow the evidence. Accordingly, the motion is granted. 

Plaintiff’s Motion in Limine Number 2: To Bar Evidence of Prior Arrests 

Janusz moves to bar evidence of his prior arrests. Because Defendants state that they “do 

not intend to introduce evidence or elicit testimony regarding Plaintiff’s 1999 and 2002 arrests,” 

the motion is granted by agreement. If, at trial, Defendants believe that Janusz has opened the 

door to evidence of his prior arrests, then they can raise the issue with the court at that time.
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Plaintiff’s Motion in Limine Number 3: To Bar Defendants from Using the Term “Garden 

Variety” Emotional Distress

Janusz anticipates that Defendants may argue to the jury that Janusz cannot recover 

damages other than damages for “garden variety” emotional distress. Janusz moves to bar 

Defendants from using the phrase “garden variety” emotional distress, contending that the phrase 

is imprecise and “could be confusing and prejudicial.” Janusz will have an opportunity to cure 

any confusion or prejudice during his counsel’s own presentation to the jury, and, as Janusz 

acknowledges, the court will ultimately instruct the jury as to the law. The motion is denied.

Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 1: To Bar Plaintiff from Presenting Evidence, 

Testimony, or Argument Relating to Damages for Emotional Injuries or Lost Wages

Defendants previously moved for summary judgment on Janusz’s damages claims, 

contending that Janusz was fully compensated in his state court case for his lost wages, 

emotional damage from PTSD, exacerbation of his bipolar disorder, and permanent disability. 

Defendants conceded, however, that Janusz is entitled to seek damages in this case arising from 

his Fourth Amendment, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process claims. (Defs.’ Mot. for 

Summ. J. 15, ECF No. 344.) They noted that Janusz’s Fourth Amendment claims involve 

damages associated with his arrest, the search of his home, and the search of his car. And they 

argued that Janusz’s compensable emotional distress is limited to “garden variety” emotional

distress.

In Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, they requested that the court limit the 

damages that Janusz may recover to these damages and preclude him from seeking other 

damages for which he was already compensated in his state court case. The court granted 

Defendants’ motion. 

Defendants now move in limine to bar Janusz from “presenting any evidence, testimony, 

or argument relating to damages for emotional injuries or lost wages.” Defendants argue that 
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introducing such evidence would violate the court’s summary judgment order. They contend, for 

example, that Janusz has no reason to call the mental health professionals who treated him

because their testimony is only relevant to establish damages that Janusz has already recovered.

Although Defendants are correct that, consistent with the court’s prior rulings, Janusz

may not recover damages representing the value of past and future lost earnings, mental 

suffering, personal humiliation, and the loss of normal life, the relief that Defendants seek—to

bar Janusz from “presenting any evidence, testimony, or argument relating to damages for 

emotional injuries or lost wages”—is too broad because it encompasses evidence that is 

admissible for other purposes. For example, it encompasses evidence relating to the “garden 

variety” emotional injury associated with Janusz’s arrest and prosecution—an injury for which 

Defendants concede Janusz may seek damages in this case. Furthermore, evidence of emotional 

injury or lost wages may be relevant to establish liability. To succeed on his state law malicious 

prosecution claim, for example, Janusz must prove that he suffered an injury. See Kozel v. Vill. 

of Dolton, 804 F. Supp. 2d 740, 746 (N.D. Ill. 2011) (citing Aguirre v. City of Chi., 887 N.E.2d 

656, 662 (2008)). To the extent that Janusz seeks to offer evidence for either of these two 

purposes, the court will not bar the evidence, subject to Rule 403 considerations. With this 

understanding, the motion is denied. 

Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 2: To Bar Plaintiff from Seeking Damages for the 

Cost of Legal Services Not Actually Incurred and Not Recoverable at Trial

Janusz agrees that he will not seek any legal fees from the criminal case in excess of what 

he actually paid. The motion is granted.

Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 3: To Bar the Testimony of Dr. James Pastor

Defendants move to bar the testimony of Dr. James Pastor. Janusz retained Pastor to 

offer expert opinions regarding two issues: (1) whether the Chicago Police Department’s 
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(“CPD’s”) disciplinary process and system was adequate to identify problematic police officers, 

and (2) whether Defendants’ conduct relating to Janusz’s arrest was in accordance with normal 

police procedures and protocols. Because Janusz agrees that the first issue only relates to his 

Monell claim—a claim which is no longer part of this case—Janusz agrees not to present any 

testimony with respect to that issue. The only dispute concerns whether Pastor may testify that 

Defendants’ conduct was not in accordance with normal police procedures and protocols.

Rule 702 and Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993), 

govern the admissibility of expert testimony in federal court. See Naem v. McKesson Drug Co., 

444 F.3d 593, 607 (7th Cir. 2006). Rule 702 provides that:

If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact 

to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as 

an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify 

thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony is based upon 

sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and 

methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to 

the facts of the case.

Fed. R. Evid. 702.

In turn, under Daubert, this court must function as a “gatekeeper” to “ensure the 

reliability and relevancy of expert testimony.” Naeem, 444 F.3d at 607 (quoting Kumho Tire 

Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 152 (1999)). “To do so, the district court must ascertain 

whether the expert is qualified, whether his or her methodology is scientifically reliable, and 

whether the testimony will ‘assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a 

fact in issue.’” Bielskis v. Louisville Ladder, Inc., 663 F.3d 887, 893 (7th Cir. 2011) (quoting 

Fed. R. Evid. 702). The court must also determine if an expert is offering legal conclusions, as 

“experts cannot make those.” See United States v. Diekhoff, 535 F.3d 611, 619 (7th Cir. 2008).
6

Defendants specifically challenge Pastor’s opinions that (1) he does not believe that the 

anonymous call led to the surveillance which resulted in the arrest; (2) the release of the female 

passenger in Mr. Janusz’s vehicle, Paula Siragusa, was both legally questionable and 

procedurally improper; and (3) the failure to detect and correct problematic behavior ultimately 

led to the unconstitutional arrest of Janusz.

Janusz does not say whether he intends to offer these opinions at trial. He says that he 

intends to offer testimony from Pastor “consistent with the opinions in his deposition, report and 

supplemental report.” According to Janusz, such opinions include:

(a) what is and is not proper and normal police procedure for handling an 

anonymous tip;

(b) what an EDGE mission is and what proper procedure is for an EDGE mission;

(c) whether Defendants acted outside the scope of normal police procedure with 

respect to their handling of Siragusa;

(d) the significance of the CPD’s “attendance and assignment” record;

(e) the significance of a Chicago Police Officer making an arrest in another 

jurisdiction; and

(f) the significance of Lucas failing to include certain information in the arrest report.

Janusz contends that Pastor’s experience in the field as a tactical police officer qualifies him to 

testify as an expert about CPD procedure and protocol. He claims that evidence that Defendants 

deviated from such procedures and protocols on the night in question supports his claim that 

Defendants conspired to unlawfully arrest him.

Before addressing the admissibility of each challenged opinion, the court first considers 

Pastor’s qualifications. According to his report, Pastor worked as a tactical police officer in the 

CPD, where he was involved in thousands of traffic and street stops and approximately 100 

search warrants. He later worked as an Assistant Department Advocate for the CPD, where he 

regularly dealt with legal and policy matters relating to discipline of department members. In 

that capacity, he reviewed thousands of complaints. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis 

from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a J.D. from John Marshall Law School, an M.A. in 
7

Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a B.S. in Law Enforcement 

Administration and in Sociology from Western Illinois University. He is an Associate Professor 

of Public Safety at Calumet College of St. Joseph. 

The court finds that, based on his education and experience, Pastor is qualified to offer 

opinions concerning what the applicable CPD policies and procedures are and whether such 

policies and procedures were followed in this case. See Sommerfield v. City of Chi., 254 F.R.D. 

317, 320 (N.D. Ill. 2008) (finding Pastor qualified to give opinions regarding police policies and 

procedures). Janusz must disclose any such opinions to Defendants, as well as the bases and 

reasons for them. Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(B)(i). Specifically, Janusz must disclose the CPD 

policies and procedures on which Pastor relied to conclude that Defendants failed to act in 

accordance with such procedures. Furthermore, Pastor may not testify that he believes 

Defendants “set up” Janusz, or that the Defendants’ account of the events is unreasonable. The 

jury is just as capable of drawing such inferences. See Sommerfield, 254 F.R.D. at 329 (“[N]o 

expert testimony is needed when the subject matter of the testimony is clearly within the average 

person’s grasp.”). 

With these principles in mind, the court addresses each of the challenged opinions in turn. 

1. “I do not believe that the ‘anonymous call’ led to the surveillance which resulted 

in the arrest.”

In his report, Pastor states several reasons why he believes that the anonymous call did 

not lead to Janusz’s arrest. Pastor notes that the caller gave only basic information about the 

pending drug deal, did not describe the occupants of the vehicle, did not say how the caller 

obtained the information, and did not provide any identifying information. He concludes that 

“[n]o reasonable police officer would chase around such empty information.”
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Janusz cites Trevino v. City of Rock Island Police Department, 91 F. Supp. 2d 1204, 1206 

(C.D. Ill. 2000) for the proposition that:

It is not uncommon for experienced police officers to appear and give expert 

testimony based on specialized knowledge gained through their years on the job, 

[and] such testimony is generally derived from the frame of reference that these 

officers develop as a result of their repeated involvement in the situations forming 

the basis for their testimony.

For example, the Trevino court noted that courts routinely allow expert testimony from police 

officers involved in the investigation of drug trafficking to offer opinions on the issue of whether 

narcotics are accompanied by the indicia of possession for distribution as opposed to personal 

use. Id. “By virtue of the officers’ participation in and observations made during the course of 

numerous drug investigations over time, courts have recognized that these officers are uniquely 

qualified to describe the various indicators that routinely accompany drugs intended for 

distribution . . . .” Id.

Here, by contrast, nothing in Pastor’s experience suggests that he is uniquely qualified to 

determine whether Defendants were responding to an anonymous tip or were part of a conspiracy 

to set up Janusz. “Testimony of a witness is inadmissible if it ‘consists of nothing more than 

drawing inferences from the evidence that [the alleged expert] was no more qualified than the 

jury to draw.’” Dean ex rel. Williams v. Watson, No. 93 C 1846, 1995 WL 692020, at *6 (N.D. 

Ill. Nov. 16, 1995) (alteration in original) (quoting U.S. v. Benson, 941 F.2d 598, 604 (7th Cir. 

1991)). The fact that Pastor was himself a police officer does not make him any more qualified 

than the jury to draw the common-sense inference that an anonymous caller who provides 

limited information about a possible crime should be treated with some skepticism, and that it 

would be unusual for a police officer to take extraordinary steps to investigate such a call. 

Accordingly, the court will not allow this opinion.
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2. “The release of the female passenger in Mr. Janusz’s vehicle was both legally 

questionable and procedurally improper.”

Pastor claims that it is “clearly violative of department policy to simply allow a fact 

witness, not to mention a potential offender, to leave the scene without mentioning her 

presence.” He states that CPD policies and procedures provide that the police should have noted 

the identity of the woman, Paula Siragusa, the reasons for her release, and that the police should 

have conducted a background check on her. Because Defendants failed to take these steps, 

Pastor concludes that their actions were legally questionable and procedurally improper.

Unlike his opinion that the anonymous call did not lead to Janusz’s arrest, Pastor’s

experience as a police officer who is familiar with CPD policies and procedures renders him 

uniquely qualified to conclude whether the release of Siragusa was consistent with the law and 

CPD policies and procedures. Such an opinion would help the jury understand whether 

Defendants acted unusually on the night in question, which is relevant to Janusz’s conspiracy 

claim.

Defendants object to Pastor’s opinion because he does not state specifically which 

policies and procedures of the CPD form the basis of his opinion. The court agrees that this 

information should have been disclosed pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2)(B), 

which requires that the expert report include “a complete statement of all opinions the witness 

will express and the basis and reasons for them . . . .” Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(B)(i). If Janusz 

intends to elicit expert opinions from Pastor concerning this topic, Janusz must disclose the 

specific policies and procedures that form the basis of his opinion.

Defendants also challenge the conclusion that the release of Siragusa was “legally 

questionable,” claiming that it is an impermissible legal conclusion. Expert witnesses may not 

offer “opinions about legal issues that . . . determine the outcome of the case.” Naeem, 444 F.3d 
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at 610 (citing United States v. Sinclair, 74 F.3d 753, 757-58 n.1 (7th Cir. 1996)). But here, the 

opinion that releasing Siragusa was legally questionable does not determine the outcome of the 

case; rather, it is only a piece of evidence regarding whether the Defendants conspired to 

unlawfully arrest Janusz. See Naeem, 444 F.3d at 610 (allowing expert to offer legal conclusion 

that did not determine the outcome of the case). If Janusz discloses the basis and reasons for this 

opinion, the court will not bar it simply because it is a legal conclusion.

3. “The failure to detect and correct problematic behavior ultimately led to the 

unconstitutional arrest of Janusz.”

Because the Monell claim is no longer part of this case, this opinion is irrelevant. The 

opinion that Janusz’s arrest is “unconstitutional” is inadmissible because it is a legal conclusion 

that determines the outcome of the case. Id.

4. “What is and Is Not Proper and Normal Police Procedure for Handling an 

Anonymous Tip”

Janusz states that he intends to offer testimony from Pastor regarding “what is and is not 

proper and normal police procedure for handling an anonymous tip.” The problem with this 

“opinion,” as Defendants point out, is that Pastor’s expert report does not disclose any opinions 

about this topic. Instead, Pastor merely recites the facts of this case and then concludes that 

Defendants actions were “unreasonable” and that their explanation of what happened is 

“absurd.” As discussed above, these opinions are inadmissible because Pastor is no more 

qualified than the jury to draw these inferences.

If Janusz intends to elicit expert opinions from Pastor concerning what is proper and 

normal police procedure for handling an anonymous tip, he must disclose those opinions.

5. “What an EDGE mission is and what proper procedure is for an EDGE mission”

Janusz must also disclose Pastor’s opinions concerning proper procedure for an EDGE 

mission if he wishes to elicit such opinions at trial. The only opinion that Pastor discloses in his 
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report concerning this topic is that “a number of reports and related statistics were to be 

completed for an EDGE mission . . . . .” Furthermore, Pastor may not testify that he “question[s] 

whether an EDGE mission actually took place on December 6, 2011” because he is no more 

qualified than the jury to draw this inference and because “[t]here is nothing helpful about this 

subjective and imprecise assessment . . . .” Sommerfield, 254 F.R.D. at 333. 

6. “Procedure with Respect to Siragusa”

As discussed above, Pastor may testify that Defendants did not follow CPD procedures 

by releasing Siragusa, so long as Janusz discloses which specific policies and procedures form 

the basis of this opinion.

7. “The Significance of the CPD’s ‘Attendance and Assignment’ Record”

Pastor opines that “[s]ince the A & A Sheets show Officer Liberti in another car with 

other officers, her presence with Lucas and George is problematic—and is violative of 

department policy.” As with Pastor’s other opinions regarding compliance with CPD policies, 

Janusz must disclose which specific policies and procedures form the basis of this opinion in 

order for the opinion to be allowable at trial.

8. “The Significance of a Chicago Police Officer Making an Arrest in Another 

Jurisdiction”

Pastor opines that “if one believes that [Defendants] had information of a pending 

narcotics transaction in Cicero, they should have notified the Cicero Police Department.” At his 

deposition, Pastor testified that this opinion is based on a police custom that an officer from 

another jurisdiction will contact a local police department, as a courtesy, before making an arrest 

in the local police department’s jurisidiction. Because Janusz has disclosed the basis for this 

opinion, the court will allow it.
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9. “The Significance of [Defendant] Lucas Failing to Include Certain Information in 

the Arrest Report”

Pastor may offer opinions concerning CPD policy and procedure concerning what ought 

to be included in an arrest report. He may opine on whether those policies and procedures were 

followed in this case, so long as he discloses which specific policies and procedures form the 

basis of his opinion. Pastor may not testify that Officer Lucas’s story is “unbelievable,” that it 

“defies explanation that these experienced tactical police officers were actually on a stake out,” 

or that “the underlying basis for the officers’ presence . . . [is] problematic.” He is no more 

qualified than the jury to make these inferences, and such imprecise assessments would not be 

helpful to the trier of fact. 

* * *

The motion is granted in part and denied in part. Because Janusz failed to disclose many 

of Pastor’s opinions regarding CPD policies and procedures, as well as the bases and reasons for 

these opinions, the exclusion of the opinions is “automatic and mandatory . . . unless nondisclosure was justified or harmless.” Tribble v. Evangelides, 670 F.3d 753, 760 (7th Cir. 2012) 

(citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 37)(c)(1)). If Janusz discloses additional opinions, Defendants may renew 

their motion to bar on the ground that Janusz’s failure to disclose was neither justified nor 

harmless. 

Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 4: To Bar All Monell-Related Evidence

Janusz agrees that he will not introduce any Monell-related evidence. The only dispute 

concerns the testimony of Evelyn White. White is the Internal Affairs Division agent who 

investigated a complaint filed by Janusz.

Defendants contend that White’s testimony relates solely to the Monell claim and is 

therefore irrelevant. Janusz agrees not to elicit any Monell testimony from White but seeks to 
13

question her concerning her reasons for not interviewing Paula Siragusa, the passenger in 

Janusz’s car. At her deposition, White testified that she did not interview Siragusa because she 

could have been an informant. 

Defendants object to this opinion as irrelevant and speculative. The court disagrees. The 

opinion is relevant because it supports Janusz’s claim that Siragusa was an informant, which in 

turn supports his conspiracy claim. The opinion is a permissible lay opinion because it is 

rationally based on White’s perception that drugs were involved and that the police did not list 

the informant’s name.

Accordingly, the motion is granted insofar as it seeks to exclude Monell related evidence, 

but denied insofar as it seeks to bar the testimony of White.

Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 5: To Bar Improper Character Evidence

Defendants move to bar improper character evidence, including complaint register files 

documenting citizen complaints against Defendants and any reference to Joseph Miedzianowski. 

Janusz states that he intends to introduce the complaint register files only if Defendants put their

character at issue by suggesting that they are exemplary officers, and that he has no intention of 

making any reference to Joseph Miedzianowski. Accordingly, the motion is granted by 

agreement of the parties. 

Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 6: To Bar Evidence Relating to Alan Lucas’s

Divorce Proceedings and Testimony from Josephine Lucas

Defendants move to bar evidence relating to Alan Lucas’s divorce proceedings and 

testimony from Josephine Lucas. Janusz states that he intends to introduce such evidence and 

testimony only if Defendants put Alan Lucas’s character at issue by suggesting that he is an 

exemplary officer. Accordingly, the motion is granted by agreement of the parties.
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Defendants’ Motion in Limine Number 7: To Bar Testimony of or Evidence Related to 

John Grizzoffi

Defendants seek to bar any evidence related to police officer John Grizzoffi, claiming 

that such evidence is irrelevant and would confuse the issues and mislead the jury.

Janusz contends that this evidence is relevant because it supports Jansusz’s conspiracy 

claim. That claim alleges that Defendants entered into an agreement with Paula Siragusa, the 

Morizzo brothers, Grizzoffi, and others to have Janusz arrested so that he would be tainted as a 

witness in a lawsuit brought by Keystone Illinois, Inc. (“Keystone”) against the Morizzo 

brothers. Judge Nordberg denied Defendants’ motion for summary judgment with respect to the

conspiracy claim, finding that “the evidence of a ‘set up’ is sufficient to let the jury observe the 

witnesses and view the exhibits to determine who is lying.” Janusz v. City of Chi., 797 F. Supp. 

2d 884, 891 (N.D. Ill. 2011). 

In its opposition to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment, Janusz submitted 

evidence suggesting that Grizzoffi played a role in the conspiracy by copying Janusz’s 

confidential police records shortly after he was arrested and forwarding those records to Anthony 

Morizzo. Grizzoffi previously worked part-time for Keystone and knew the Morizzo brothers. 

Janusz alleges that Anthony Morizzo used the records he received from Grizzoffi to persuade 

Keystone to settle the lawsuit by arguing that Janusz’s arrest tainted him as a credible witness. 

Keystone settled the lawsuit and then fired Janusz on January 19, 2002.

Defendants argue that the evidence relating to Grizzoffi is too attenuated to establish a 

conspiracy because Grizzoffi did not participate in the arrest, did not provide evidence to the 

officers, was not involved in the prosecution of Janusz, and was not named as a defendant in this 

case. But the fact that there may be no direct evidence linking Grizzoffi to a conspiracy does not 

render the Grizzoffi evidence irrelevant, as a “conspiracy is almost never susceptible to direct 
15

proof, but rather must be established from circumstantial evidence and inferences drawn from 

evidence, coupled with common-sense knowledge of the behavior of persons in similar 

circumstances.” Henderson v. Harthsorn, No. 08 C 2086, 2011 WL 11464, at *7 (C.D. Ill. Jan. 

4, 2011) (citing McClure v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 720 N.E.2d 242, 258 (Ill. 1999)). 

The Grizzoffi evidence helps establish a link, albeit an indirect one, between the police and the 

Morizzo brothers. The court agrees with Janusz that the evidence is relevant and would not 

overly confuse the issues or mislead the jury. The motion is denied.

CONCLUSION

Given the foregoing, the following motions in limine are granted: Janusz’s motions in 

limine Nos. 1 and 2 and Defendants’ motions in limine Nos. 2, 5, and 6; the following motions in 

limine are granted in part and denied in part: Defendants’ motions in limine Nos. 3 and 4; and 

the following motions in limine are denied: Janusz’s motion in limine No. 3 and Defendants’ 

motions in limine Nos. 1 and 7.

/s/

JOAN B. GOTTSCHALL

United States District Judge

DATED: December 13, 2013