Metra train kills woman

Sunday, a woman was killed by a Metra train in Maywood. See Sun-Times.

RIP Jesus Cabral, 57, Northlake

Suburban Life (Joe Sinopoli) reports Jesus Cabral was killed by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train in La Grange, near his workplace in Brookfield.

Eddie Avant, 16, of Bellwood is dead

Chicago Tribune (Jason Meisner):

Bellwood police are interviewing a "person of interest" in the death of a teenage boy shot early Wednesday while riding in a car near his home.

Killed was Eddie Avant, 16, of the 400 block of Frederick Avenue in Bellwood, said a Cook County medical examiner's office spokesman. Avant was pronounced dead at 11:15 a.m. at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he had been on life support.

[UPDATE: Chicago Tribune (Jason Meisner):

Bellwood police are interviewing a "person of interest" in the death of a teenage boy shot early Wednesday while riding in a car near his home....

The person being questioned is 18 years old and was picked up in the afternoon, said Blass, who said police are not calling him a suspect.

[The article also claims this is the first Bellwood homicide this year.]

old guys living the gangster lifestyle in Maywood

Chicago Sun-Times has the story of a 56-year old man shot and killed in Maywood. A 59-year old has been apprehended.

“The relationship between the suspect and victim is not known at this time as this case is currently under investigation,” [Maywood Police Sgt. Tim] Curry said.

CRIME, Hubert "Boo Boo" Thompson charged with murder [D209]

I saw Hubert Thompson wrestle in high school. He was one of the most dominant high school wrestlers I'd ever seen. He was so strong he could pick-up the other heavyweights like they were little kids.

Chicago Tribune (Matthew Walberg):

For reasons that remained unclear Saturday, Thompson hurled [James] Malone [66 year old, a neighbor] over a balcony Friday afternoon, killing him, police said. Thompson was charged with first-degree murder and was being held in lieu of $3 million bail.

After attending Proviso West Thompson played football at Michigan State University. The article says Thompson was cut by the New Orleans Saints after two days for fighting with another player.

If I recall correctly (IIRC) Thompson had trouble scoring high enough on his college entrance exams to be admitted to a Division I school. There was talk of him being drafted directly to the NFL. He was that developed and talented.

I didn't interact with Thompson, but from what I heard through wrestlers he was a nice guy if a completely intimidating opponent.

[UPDATE: Sun-Times (Ben Goldberger and Dave Newbart) has the story on the front page of the Sunday paper.

[A couple things got my attention.

Authorities said Thompson allegedly made incriminating statements in an interview. He also allegedly told authorities that he believed Malone had tried to poison him.

DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said Saturday that officials are awaiting the results of mental evaluations, expected this week. "There's some substantial psychological issues that have to be addressed," he said.

[Apparently Thompson and the victim were friendly. Thompson has a history of mental health issues.]

CRIME, Terrence Miller sentenced for murder [BW]

To beat a forgery rap Paulyn Miller of Bellwood recorded her son confessing to the murder of a Woodridge heroin dealer. Terrence Miller, 30, received 70 years for the 2001 killing. See Daily Herald (Christy Gutowski).

“It’s obvious this defendant is intelligent, but he chose to be a thug and a criminal,” [prosecutor Steven] Knight said. “He chose to go over to Ezra’s apartment with a loaded gun. He chose to kill him. He needs to be warehoused.”

Warehoused?

I wonder how often DuPage County assistant state's attorneys use the words, "S/he needs to be warehoused," with "White" defendants from families with above average incomes.

While Knight is eager to portray Terrence Miller as having the advantages of intellect, it seems pretty clear he came from a dysfunctional family. His mother is a career criminal who would sell him out to avoid a few months in jail. Something tells me she wasn't the kind of mother who sacrificed much for her child when he was growing up.

PO-PO, deputy sheriff acquitted in killing of Bellwood cop [BW]

[UPDATE: As a reader pointed out the charge was attempted murder, not murder.]

Chicago Tribune:

A former Cook County sheriff's officer was acquitted of attempted murder charges for shooting a Bellwood police officer who was executing a search warrant at his home in 2003.

Michael Rodgers, 52, of Bellwood was found not guilty Friday after a bench trial before Cook County Criminal Court Judge William Lacy.

Sun-Times (Frank Main):

Rodgers said he awoke about 5 a.m. to a loud noise. He said he thought gang members were invading his home to avenge the killing that allegedly involved his stepson. He grabbed his gun and fired into the kitchen. Only then did he hear someone announce "it's the police," he said....

Rodgers -- who was fired by the sheriff's merit board last year -- is suing to get his old job back. He also has a lawsuit pending against west suburban Bellwood and the officers who raided his home.

How should the Bellwood Police have served this search warrant?