An unexpected death is always tragic, but that tragedy seems compounded when a young person is killed. If the death is a result of a criminal act, police and the community at large are often desperate to find someone to blame. However, a rush to action could result in mistakes. Illinois prosecutors will have to provide sufficient evidence in order to gain a conviction after a man was charged with murder after the death of two teenagers.
The murders happened in early November. The bodies of two males, a 17-year-old and 19-year-old, were found in a van around 1:30 a.m. They died at the scene. An autopsy showed that the two teenagers suffered from multiple gunshot wounds.
A 22-year-old man has recently been arrested and charged with the murder of the two teenagers. While reports indicate that the accused was identified by police, it is unclear what evidence supports claims that he was involved with the murders. Additionally, police have not released a possible motive. The man is expected to appear in court in early December.
When a family loses a loved one in such a tragic manner, they understandably want answers; generally, Illinois police and other officials want to provide them. However, a wrongful arrest can have serious consequences on a person’s life. In order to obtain a conviction, there must be evidence to prove a person’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. An experienced attorney can help a defendant in court in many different ways, including working to exclude certain evidence. The man charged with murder in this case will likely want to ensure that he receives a fair trial and that his rights are upheld throughout the criminal process.
Source: CBS Chicago, “Man Charged In Double Murder In Ford Heights“, Dec. 4, 2014