Murder Conviction Affirmed in Triple Homicide of Darien Family

A former Willow Springs man’s conviction on three murder charges was affirmed Friday by the Second District Appellate Court.

Johnny Borizov, 33, was found guilty in 2013 of three counts of first degree murder and one count of solicitation to commit murder for his role in the 2010 killings of Jeffrey Kramer, 50, his wife Lori, 48, and their son Michael, 20, of Darien, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Borizov argued in his appeal that he didn’t receive a fair trial, but the appellate court disagreed, according to the state’s attorney’s office.

In the court’s opinion, there was “overwhelming evidence” that Borizov was legally responsible for the actions of gunman Jacob Nodarse, formerly of Countryside.

Borizov encouraged Nodarse to kill the Kramer family because of a contentious custody battle with his ex-girlfriend, Angela Kramer, the state’s attorney’s office reported.

Borizov received in July 2013 three consecutive life sentences without parole, and Nodarse was sentenced Aug. 2013 to 75 years. Nodarse pleaded guilty but mentally ill to first degree murder in Sept. 2011.

Borizov and Nodarse planned for Nodarse to break into the Kramer home March 2, 2010, and kill everyone there, the state’s attorney’s office reported.

Angela Kramer remembers waking up in the middle of the night to shattered glass and screaming, according to her testimony during the trial. Prosecutors said Nodarse first shot and killed Jeffrey Kramer, then Lori when she came to a landing to see what was happening.

“I would like to thank the Appellate Court for their extremely thoughtful and thorough review of this case,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a statement. “Five years ago, Jacob Nodarse killed Jeffrey, Lori and Michael Kramer in cold blood at the behest of Johnny Borizov. The evidence of Borizov’s guilt and role in these horrific murders was overwhelming and the Appellate Court agreed that he received a fair trial.”

Related Stories

• Johnny Borizov Receives 3 Life Sentences For Plotting Kramer Family Murders
• Jury Finds Johnny Borizov Guilty in Darien Family Murders
• Shooter Says Johnny Borizov Orchestrated Darien Family Killings
• Siblings Recall Night of Kramer Family Murders in Darien
• Opening Statements Paint Contrasting Pictures of Johnny Borizov In Darien Triple-Murder Trial