Mackowiak hearing continues

Was accused double murderer Keith Mackowiak of Seneca under the influence when he supposedly confessed to police?  A hearing to find this out continued Friday in La Salle County Court.

          Public Defender Tim Cappellini called one witness to the stand who testified he was drinking Jack Daniels with Mackowiak before he was arrested in July of 2007.  The witness testified that Mackowiak was fairly “buzzed” because of the alcohol.  Cappellini is trying to argue that statements made by Mackowiak to police after he was arrested should be suppressed since he wasn’t in the right mind frame to talk.

          Over the last couple weeks, State’s Attorney Brian Towne called about 40 sheriff’s deputies and jail employees who all said Mackowiak seemed coherent during and after his arrest.

          Mackowiak faces the death penalty if he’s found guilty of murdering Al and Catherine Twardowski in their Seneca home.