Lyons: Genius rare in criminal minds

Spending much of a career covering crime taught me that many clichés about the criminal justice system are unfounded.

Crime doesn’t pay. That depends. I’ve been in some pretty nice homes owned by criminal defense attorneys. Justice is blind. Occasionally, it’s deaf and dumb, too.

But I am grateful for one general truth: Most criminals are not smart. Justin Houghtaling is a testament to that. Many others have strengthened my resolve on that point.

Houghtaling pleaded guilty to perjury Tuesday for actions that nearly let a murderer walk free. He already was serving a 20-year sentence for his role as a co-conspirator in the 2001 shooting death of restaurant owner Raul Briseño. If his losing streak continues, Houghtaling still faces federal time for threatening judges.

At getaway driver Jennifer McMullan’s trial, I watched Houghtaling describe for a jury how he and Kenny Smith tried to rob the Burrito Express restaurant in McHenry, the struggle that ensued, and how Smith shot Briseño during the melee.

Houghtaling got the 20-year minimum in exchange for his testimony, a deal I’m sure prosecutors were reluctant to offer since he also was culpable.

Somewhere along the line, Houghtaling became less helpful. He refused to testify at Smith’s first trial, which resulted in a conviction that was overturned on appeal. From his prison cell, he wrote crazy letters of recantation. At Smith’s second trial, he said he and Smith committed the murder – then told the same jury he’d concocted the entire story.

Despite the anxiety his manipulation caused the victim’s family, law enforcement, judges and the community in general, none of it worked, and Smith and Houghtaling remain where they belong.

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McHenry County Police Charities, the organization behind McHenry County’s Shop with a Cop program, is sponsoring its chief fundraiser of the year – the third annual Donut Run, on July 25 at Woodstock Harley-Davidson.

The run is a motorcycle ride through the county. Live entertainment, food and police demonstrations also will be featured.

For information and registration forms, visit http://www.mchenrycountypolicecharities.org.

If you’re not familiar with the Shop with a Cop program, each Christmas McHenry County Police Charities pairs local police officers with children for a shopping spree. The kids pick out presents for themselves and their families.

They also get some new winter clothing and some time with the officer.

About 200 needy kids usually participate in the program designed to develop positive vibes between police and children. Trust between cops and kids is an important quality in any strong community.

If you don’t ride or can’t attend, consider donating to a great cause: McHenry County Police Charities, P.O. Box 981, Crystal Lake, IL 60039.

• Kevin Lyons is news editor of the Northwest Herald. Reach him at 815-526-4505 or at
kelyons@nwherald.com.