CHICAGO – A Cook County judge Friday ordered the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the 2004 death of a man during an altercation with a nephew of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The family of 21-year-old David Koschman asked for a special prosecutor because it believes the initial investigation had police cover-ups. The family also said the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has political ties to Daley and is not fit to handle the case.

Koschman died days after he struck his head during a fight with Daley’s nephew, Richard Vanecko, outside a bar in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. No charges have been filed.