Most people associate this time of year with food and family. However, spending time with family doesn’t always have a positive outcome. Tensions can sometimes arise when a family spends time together, making holiday gatherings somewhat stressful and sometimes even filled with conflict. One family in Illinois is now dealing with the death of a young man and the fact that the deceased’s brother has now been charged with murder.
In mid-December, police indicate they were called around midnight. When they arrived at the house, they found the 25-year-old victim suffering from stab wounds. He died soon after being transported to an area hospital. His 15-year-old brother was taken into custody at the time.
The teenager has now been charged with murder. At this time, very few details of the incident have been released to the public. Neighbors, who describe the family as wonderful, have expressed their shock over the incident.
There will be many questions that need to be answered in order for Illinois prosecutors to obtain a conviction. Undoubtedly, more details as to why the young man was charged with murder will come out as police continue their investigation, but at this time it is unclear what events led up to the death of the man or what may have created a conflict in the household. These are likely issues that prosecutors will need to address in order to reach the high burden of proof necessary to obtain a guilty conviction. Until that proof is provided, the young man is considered innocent in the eyes of the law.
Source: Chicago Tribune, 15-year-old Flossmoor boy charged with older brother’s murder, No author, Dec. 21, 2013