Southern Illinoisan from Carbondale, Illinois • Page 6

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DEKALB Essays written for graduate school applications by the gunman who opened fire in a Northern Illinois University classroom in February killing five students before committing suicide paint a picture of a young man who felt profoundly lost. Steven Kazmierczak discussed feeling alienated and his decision to send him to a group home in essays the Chicago Tribune obtained from the University of Illinois and NIU. as long as I can remember, I have always been an extremely sensitive individual and feel as though I am able to empathize with other emotional and social Kazmierczak wrote. some of my peers were not very understanding or accepting, and I feel as though I was victimized to a certain degree during my adolescent That victimization, he explained in an application to the University of Illinois School of Social Work, came from overwhelming social pressures. hindsight, I feel that this was largely a result of the senitivity that I often exhibited toward other classmates which was not necessarily accepted by Kazmierczak wrote.

He also talked about wanting to work with the mentally ill in the criminal justice system. truly do feel as though I would be an altruistic social worker, mainly due to my past experiences, because I view myself as being able to relate to those segments of society that are in need of he wrote. The Chicago Tribune also interviewed father, Robert Kazmierczak, who said the essays were truthful. He said he spoke to his 27-year-old son the Sunday before the Thursday, Feb. 14, shootings.

was Robert Kazmierczak said. made dinner plans. He was talking about the Robert Kazmierczak also said he and his late wife, Gail Kazmierczak, tried to help Steven by putting him in a group home. did everything we could to help him. My wife and I worked very hard to help my son.

I thought he was doing Robert Kazmierczak said. still had a lot of support. He knew I would help him if he was in The 66-year-old retired letter carrier told the Tribune he wishes he could find out why his son took a violent turn and that he cries about the shootings. pray for those people at he said. pray for those people every 6A HE OUTHERN I LLINOISAN UNDAY A PRIL 20, 2008 TATE www.thesouthern.com Northern Illinois University essays reveal his alienation RIEFLY Aftershocks reported in Illinois after quake WEST SALEM Seismologists say at least 11 aftershocks have been reported in Illinois since a 5.2 magnitude quake startled residents from Milwaukee to Atlanta.

The temblor at 4:37 a.m. Friday was centered near the community of West Salem and caused skyscrapers in Chicago about 230 miles away to shake. No injuries or significant damage have been reported. The U.S. Geological Survey reported four smaller quakes Saturday in southern Illinois, including two 2.8 magnitude near Bellmont and a 1.3 magnitude near Mount Carmel.

Seven aftershocks were reported on Friday. The biggest was a 4.6 magnitude near Bellmont. Las Vegas man convicted in $43 million fraud case EAST ST. LOUIS A Las Vegas man has been convicted in southern Illinois for masterminding a telemarketing scheme that swindled at least $43 million from more than 300,000 people. The government alleged that Kyle company led consumers to believe they would get credit cards.

But those who responded to the pitch and paid fees of $159 or more get credit cards. They received an application for a card that had to be loaded with money before it could be used. Kimoto was indicted in June on more than a dozen fraud counts. He faces up to 175 years in prison and a $3.5 million fine. A former Kimoto business associate, Peter Porcelli II of Florida, pleaded guilty last May to federal fraud charges.

Husband of missing woman must answer questions JOLIET A Will County judge has ordered the husband of missing Plainfield mother Lisa Stebic to answer questions and provide documents connected with a lawsuit filed by parents and grandparents seeking visitation with her two young sons. Will County Judge Robert Brumund ruled Friday that Craig Stebic has 14 days to provide the information and that he also may use his fifth amendment right against self- incrimination. Police have named Craig Stebic as a of in disappearance last April. Lisa parents and grandparents argue that they seen the boys, ages 11 and 13, for six months. But Craig attorney suggests family could be working with police.

Murder family sues estate WOODSTOCK Relatives of an 83-year-old woman murdered on Day in 2006 is suing the estate of the man accused of killing her, who was shot by police. The lawsuit was filed Friday in McHenry County and seeks unspecified damages over $50,000. Authorities fatally shot Jose Manuel Albada-Grijaldo several hours after Verna Corcoran was strangled at her Marengo home. He was shot by police after allegedly leading officers on a 15-mile chase while driving car. The Associated Press.