25-to-life in samurai sword slaying of stepfather

Posted in Related Deaths

1-17-2007 New York:

A man convicted of murder after nearly beheading his stepfather with a samurai sword was sentenced Wednesday to a term of 25 years-to-life in prison.

Zachary Gibian, 20, was convicted last month of second-degree murder in the February 2005 death of his stepfather, Scott Nager, who was killed as he slept on his living room couch.

Gibian testified that Nager had sexually abused him since age 15 -- a claim prosecutors termed ''preposterous.''

Gibian, of Hauppauge, made no statement at his sentencing.

The victim's sister, Anne Leonardi, speaking on behalf of the family, had asked the court to give Gibian the maximum sentence.

Gibian took responsibility for the crimes in written and videotaped confessions to police just hours after the killing, but changed his story on the witness stand, insisting it was his mother who inflicted the fatal blows after she discovered her husband sexually abusing him.

Prosecutors contended that Nager, 51, a retired New York City police officer, was not a sexual predator but a concerned parent faced with a rebellious teenager.

Gibian, the lone defense witness, claimed that on numerous occasions, beginning when he was about 15, Nager got drunk and repeatedly forced him to perform a sex act _ sometimes at gunpoint.

None of the abuse claims were made in Gibian's written and taped confessions.

His mother, Laura Nager, has insisted through her attorney that she was not the killer. She has not been charged with any crime -- although investigators say the case remains an open investigation.

After the sentencing, her lawyer, Steven Wilutis, said prosecutors told him to expect an arrest, although he was not told on what charge. Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney John Scott Prudenti declined to comment, other to say ''stay tuned.'' ..more.. by FRANK ELTMAN

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'Jury is deadlocked'
After samurai jury's note, judge tells panel to continue talking and 'be willing to change your decision'
12-12-2006 New York:

Two hours into their fifth day of deliberation in the murder trial of Zachary Gibian, jurors announced yesterday that they were unable to reach a verdict.

After receiving a note that read simply, "The jury is deadlocked," State Supreme Court Justice Robert W. Doyle instructed the six men and six women to keep at it.

"Frankly, it wasn't intended to be easy," Doyle told them.

Doyle encouraged jurors to "be willing to change your decision," but not to do so out of "mere acquiescence."

Gibian, 20, of Hauppauge, is charged with striking his stepfather, Scott Nager, twice in the neck and face with a samurai sword - severing his spinal cord and killing him instantly. Prosecutors have said Nager and Gibian had been arguing about disciplinary problems.

However, Gibian testified that his mother, Laura Nager, is the real killer - having exploded in a rage after discovering her husband was sexually abusing Gibian. The defendant said he confessed to police to protect his mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and that she told him she would eventually take responsibility for the crime.

The "whodunit" mystery has appeared to be the focus of jurors, who have twice asked for each of Gibian's conflicting stories to be read back to them. After not making any requests of evidence since Thursday, jurors late yesterday asked to have testimony from Suffolk Police Sgt. Thomas Healy read back to them.

Healy was among the first police officers at the scene on Feb. 27, 2005. Jurors asked to hear only what he said about Laura Nager, who he described as having dry blood on her hands and walking with a cane.

Jurors also, for the second time, asked for an explanation from Doyle of "reasonable doubt," which they would have to overcome to find Gibian guilty. If convicted, Gibian faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

For the fifth day of deliberation - as he had every day of the six-week trial - Scott Nager's father, Nathan Nager, waited anxiously on a court hallway bench for news.

"They could still come to a verdict," said Nager, 82, visibly frustrated by the jury's indecision. "I've always believed in the system. And hopefully I'm not disappointed."

Assistant District Attorney John Scott Prudenti said the wait was "tough," while defense attorney William Keahon of Islandia said Gibian remained "scared and frightened."

"Anyone on trial for their life would be," Keahon said. ..more.. by ALFONSO A. CASTILLO

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Gibian Gets 25 to Life in Samurai Sword Slay
1-17-2007 New York:
Unphased by testimony that Zachary Gibian suffered abuse at the hands of stepfather Scott Nager, a Supreme Court justice in Riverhead gave the 20-year-old the maximum sentence for Nager’s brutal murder with a samurai sword.

Justice Robert W. Doyle sentenced Gibian, of Hauppauge, to 25 years to life in prison for the murder, where Gibian nearly decapitated Nager with two slashes of the sword, which reportedly belonged to Nager. ..more.. by Long Island Press

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25-to-life in samurai sword slaying of stepfather
1-19-2007 New York:
.RIVERHEAD, N.Y.-- A man convicted of murder after nearly beheading his stepfather with a samurai sword was sentenced Wednesday to a term of 25 years-to-life in prison. Zachary Gibian, 20, was convicted last month of second-degree murder in the February 2005 death of his stepfather, Scott Nager, who was killed as he slept on his living room couch.

Gibian testified that Nager had sexually abused him since age 15 -- a claim prosecutors termed ''preposterous.'' Gibian, of Hauppauge, made no statement at his sentencing. The victim's sister, Anne Leonardi, speaking on behalf of the family, had asked the court to give Gibian the maximum sentence.

Gibian took responsibility for the crimes in written and videotaped confessions to police just hours after the killing, but changed his story on the witness stand, insisting it was his mother who inflicted the fatal blows after she discovered her husband sexually abusing him. Prosecutors contended that Nager, 51, a retired New York City police officer, was not a sexual predator but a concerned parent faced with a rebellious teenager.

Gibian, the lone defense witness, claimed that on numerous occasions, beginning when he was about 15, Nager got drunk and repeatedly forced him to perform a sex act _ sometimes at gunpoint. None of the abuse claims were made in Gibian's written and taped confessions. His mother, Laura Nager, has insisted through her attorney that she was not the killer. She has not been charged with any crime -- although investigators say the case remains an open investigation.

After the sentencing, her lawyer, Steven Wilutis, said prosecutors told him to expect an arrest, although he was not told on what charge. Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney John Scott Prudenti declined to comment, other to say ''stay tuned.'' ..more.. : by FRANK ELTMAN

Man says sex taunt triggered homicide

Posted in Related Deaths

4-14-2005 New York:

Suspect: Photos, abuse led to actions

ORISKANY -- Sexual comments about female family members preceded the bludgeoning that killed a North Bay man, according to statements made by the Rome man charged in the death of his uncle, authorities said.

Authorities also said Ricky B. LaGasse told them after his arrest Friday that his uncle, Paul W. Jansen, 61 -- whom LaGasse referred to as a "pedophile" -- had raped him about 30 years ago.

These statements, discussed by attorneys and Oneida County sheriff's investigators during a felony examination Wednesday in Oriskany Village Court, revealed some of the details surrounding a possible motive for Jansen's death.

Following the hearing, Judge Richard Montgomery referred the matter to an Oneida County grand jury, finding reasonable cause that LaGasse, 44, of West Embargo Street, Rome, should be charged with second-degree murder.

Jansen's body was found shortly before 5 a.m. Friday on the living room floor at his residence on Route 49, deputies said. An autopsy later concluded that Jansen was killed by blunt force trauma to the head.

As a shackled LaGasse wiped away tears, Sgt. Robert Nelson described the comments LaGasse reportedly made to investigators that morning.

When LaGasse -- who along with his brother had called 911 to report Jansen's condition -- learned of his uncle's death, he told investigators, "I hurt my uncle, man. Don't you understand. I hurt my uncle. I didn't mean to hurt him," Nelson recalled.

According to statements LaGasse made to Nelson, Jansen showed LaGasse photographs of LaGasse's sister and mother, then taunted LaGasse with sexual comments about the two women, LaGasse proceeded to hit Jansen three times.

LaGasse also said Jansen attacked him with knives, Nelson said. LaGasse's arms and body were covered with "superficial lacerations" -- still visible Wednesday as he sat in court -- when he was apprehended later that morning following an hour-long standoff at his Rome apartment, Nelson said.

LaGasse is being held in Oneida County jail without bail. ..more.. by ROCCO LaDUCA

Murder victim's final ride detailed

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7-3-2004 Texas:

.Robert Fernandez III died an agonizing death last year at the hands of his girlfriend and two female accomplices, the victim of a mistaken allegation of child abuse, jurors were told Wednesday on the first day of trial for Maria Del Carmen Hernandez. Hernandez, 27, is charged with capital murder in the July 25, 2004 strangulation death of Fernandez, 32, who is the father of her son, Alex. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. If convicted, Hernandez faces life in prison. "He suffered an agonizing death and he suffered it at the hands of this defendant, Maria Hernandez, who drugged him, bound his arms and legs and put him in the trunk of a car, and then strangled him with a nylon hose," prosecutor Catherine Hayes told jurors during opening statements.

Also facing capital murder charges are Cassandra Leffew, 36, and Dolores Rodriguez, 56, who are accused of helping Hernandez. Their trials are pending. According to prosecutors, Hernandez broke up with Fernandez around December 2002, and then in 2003 was a companion to an abusive boyfriend who took her to Mexico and forced her to live there. Later that year, she returned to San Antonio and ended up at the Battered Women's Shelter, where she met Leffew and eventually went to live in her home. After moving, Hernandez resumed her relationship with Fernandez, who also moved in. Together, they took care of seven children, three of whom belonged to Hernandez and four who belonged to Leffew.

On July 23, 2004, during a visit to a friend's apartment to take the kids swimming, one of the children told Hernandez that Fernandez had sexual contact with one of Leffew's daughters. The friend, Dino Monk, testified Wednesday he heard Hernandez threaten to kill her boyfriend and "throw him in a ditch." Two nights later, Hayes told jurors, the three women got Fernandez drunk on rum that had been spiked with drugs to incapacitate him. They questioned him about the alleged abuse, which he denied. When he passed out, they put him in the trunk of a car and drove around for several hours before using garbage bags and a nylon stocking to strangle him, Hayes said. ..more.. : by Tom Bower, EXPRESS-NEWS STAFF WRITER

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Woman guilty in boyfriend's slaying
9-3-2005 Texas:
.A woman was found guilty of capital murder for helping to kidnap and strangle her boyfriend after he was falsely accused of molesting the daughter of one of his alleged captors. Maria Del Carmen Hernandez, 27, was found guilty Friday by a jury in 227th District Court and sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Robert Fernandez III. The earliest she could be paroled is in 39 years.

Hernandez was one of three women accused in the July 2004 slaying. Dolores Rodriguez, 56, of San Antonio, is charged with capital murder and Cassandra Leffew, 36, also of San Antonio, is charged with kidnapping. Their trials are pending. According to witness testimony, the three women met in 2003 at the Battered Women's Shelter, and Hernandez eventually went to live with Leffew. By early 2004, Hernandez had reconciled with Fernandez, 32, and the couple were taking care of seven children three that were Hernandez's and four that were Leffew's.

In July 2004, Fernandez was accused of molesting one of Leffew's daughters. Authorities investigated and determined the charge was false — but not before Fernandez was kidnapped, drugged and interrogated at Rodriguez's home in remote South Bexar County. Despite his denials, Fernandez was tied up, and attempts were made to suffocate him using two plastic garbage bags. When that didn't work, the women put him in the trunk of Leffew's car and drove around with him for about two hours. Later, they strangled him using a nylon hose, according to the statements. Fernandez's body was found in a roadside ditch. ..more.. : by San Antonio Express-News

Man Says He Killed His Father To Stop Sexual Abuse

Posted in Related Deaths

7-14-2005 Washington:

FEDERAL WAY - Police knew from the beginning that David Jaber was the main suspect in his father's murder.

Neighbors at Fred Jaber's retirement apartment complex found the 79-year-old with a butcher knife in his back.

"Residents or neighbors were comforting him at the time. He was conscious. He was able to talk. As police were talking to him, checking on him, he identified his son as the assailant," said Commander Greg Wilson with the Federal Way Police Department.

What detectives didn't know was, why would a son kill his father?

New court documents may provide the answer. In them, David Jaber claims he suffered years of sexual abuse by his father that continued until the day he died.

Jaber claims "His father had been molesting him since he was 4 or 5-years-old. Part of the condition of David moving in was that he'd perform oral sex on his father."

In February 2005, Jaber moved in with his father at the Willamette Retirement Apartments.

In the court documents, David Jaber told police on June 26 he snapped. He talked to his mother on the phone to tell her about the years of alleged abuse. Court documents say she told him she didn't care.

KOMO 4 News tried to talk to Delores Jaber, but there was no answer at her SeaTac home. Delores was divorced from her husband and clearly afraid of her son. Since the beginning of the year, she's had a protection order against David. In the order she wrote: "I can see the rage in his eyes. I am fearful of his behavior. He is a totally different person since his depression." ..more.. by Leslie Knopp

Retired Officer's Alleged Killer Says Man Was Child Molester

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1-25-2006 Pennsylvania:

Testimony Revealed Thompson Believed Man Raped Family Member

PHILADELPHIA -- Startling new information was revealed in court Wednesday about the slaying of a retired Philadelphia police officer.

Detectives said that the accused killer, Galvinus Thompson (pictured, left), has confessed, claiming the man he killed was a child molester.

During an hour of testimony, a detective said that Kenneth Brokenborough was shot to death because Thompson believed he had raped a young member of Thompson's family seven years ago.

Police also said that Thompson, 24, confessed he went to Brokenborough's home on Friday Jan. 13 to confront him with the rape allegations, but Thompson lost his courage. The detective went on to say that Thompson returned three days later, on Monday Jan. 16, and confronted Brokenborough while he was exercising and fatally shot him.

"When you shoot somebody 11 times, you run out of bullets and two of those shots are to the back, you wanted to kill the person. It's not an accident," said Carlo Vega, the prosecutor.

The defense argued that Thompson did not intend to commit murder. They said that Thompson was angry over Brokenborough's denial of the accusation. In his confession, Thompson claimed Brokenborough said, "Get out of here. What are you talking about? I'm not going to jail."

"Voluntary manslaughter is intentional killing, which 10 shots clearly is, but it's motivated by a sudden rage or resentment or anger brought upon by the conduct or the actions of the deceased," said Jack McMahon, Thompson's attorney.

McMahon said that Thompson has expressed remorse and even led police to the gun he dumped in the Schuykill River in Manayunk.

"He's a heck of a kid. By all accounts, this is a fine young man. He's never been arrested before, ROTC, went to high school, did good," McMahon said.

However, the judge disagreed and said that Thompson did intend to kill the man his mother once dated.

"He came armed, fully loaded, and he emptied out that gun," Vega said. ..more.. by NBC10.com

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Man held in ex-officer's death

Authorities last night charged the son of a Philadelphia police officer with murder in the slaying of a retired officer who authorities say used to date his mother.

Galvinus E. Thompson, 23, of Philadelphia, allegedly fired several rounds from the .40-caliber handgun that killed Kenneth Brokenborough, 52, of the 100 block of Washington Lane, Monday as the former officer did his early-morning exercises, police said.

Police declined to elaborate on a motive for the shooting or say what led them to the suspect.

Capt. Benjamin Naish, a police spokesman, said last night that "something" in the past may have led to Monday's shooting, but he would not elaborate.

In recent years, Brokenborough had been dating Thompson's mother, Officer Dana Thompson, who was... ..Source..

Dad pleads guilty in beating death of suspected molester

Posted in Related Deaths

10-4-2006 Delaware:
.A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminally negligent homicide for beating to death [4-17-2006] a 77-year-old man he believed had molested his young daughter. Robert Fontanez Jr., 27, had faced the more serious charge of second-degree murder in the April death of Bismark Vasquez before agreeing to the plea. He faces up to five years in prison at sentencing, expected early next year.

According to police, Fontanez became enraged when his 5-year-old daughter told him that Vasquez had touched her inappropriately. He went to Vasquez's home and punched him so hard that the older man went through the back door, police said. Investigators said Fontanez continued to beat Vasquez as he lay bleeding on the concrete outside. Vasquez died in a hospital three days later.

Police detective Scott Chaffin said there was no physical evidence to support the molestation allegation, though he said the child's comments to police were consistent with what she had told her mother. In a similar case in Fairfield, Connecticut, a man was charged with stabbing to death a 58-year-old neighbor in August whom he had suspected of molesting his 2-year-old daughter. ..more.. by Associated Press

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9 Months for Killing Molestation Suspect
1-5-2007 Delaware:

WILMINGTON, Del. -- A man was sentenced to nine months in prison Friday for beating to death a 77-year-old man he believed had molested his 5-year-old daughter.

Robert Fontanez Jr. pleaded guilty last year to killing Bismark Vasquez. Police have said that although there was no physical evidence to support his daughter's allegations that Vasquez had fondled her, the account she gave police was consistent with what she had told her family.

In April, an infuriated Fontanez punched Vasquez so hard that Vasquez went through the back door of his home. Fontanez punched him several more times as he lay bleeding on the concrete outside, police said.

Fontanez, 27, of Elsmere, had been charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.

Superior Judge Joseph Slights III sentenced Fontanez to far less than the maximum five years, telling him, "The circumstances surrounding this crime were taken into consideration by the state" and the court. ..more.. by The Associated Press

HPD: Boy says he killed man who sexually assaulted him

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2-20-2009 Texas:

Dead man's nephew disputes boy's story, but says uncle led a violent lifestyle

A 15-year-old boy has told police that he shot and killed a man in northeast Houston this week after the man grabbed him on his way to school and sexually assaulted him, investigators say.

Joe Edward Gary, a 51-year-old ex-convict, was found dead by his nephew at the nephew's house in the 8600 block of Lockwood about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

That same day, investigators said, the teenager told Houston school authorities that a man had abducted him at gunpoint as he walked to school and taken him to the house and sexually assaulted him.

The boy said that he managed to get the man's gun and shoot him in the head, officials said. He then went to school and reported the attack.

The boy was taken to a hospital and an examination confirmed that he had been sexually assaulted, police said.

School officials alerted Houston police, and homicide detectives who were investigating Gary's death realized that he was the man the boy said he had shot.

According to investigators, neighbors reported hearing gunfire early in the morning. Police said no charges have been filed in connection with the shooting.

The shooting occurred in the home of Richmond Gary, who said his uncle had stayed with him for about two weeks after serving about 19 years in prison for a drug-related offense.

Gary, 32, said he was not at home when the shooting happened.

"It's tough, but I know my uncle," he said. "I never expected anything of this nature, but with his lifestyle, gunplay comes in."

Joe Gary had a number of convictions on his record in Harris County dating back to the mid-1980s, including burglary, theft and drug-related offenses.

According to records, he also has used the names Joe Henry Wilson and Joe E. Phillips.

Richmond Gary said he doesn't believe the boy's account that he was sexually assaulted. He said he suspects that the boy willingly had sex with the older man, because he had seen the boy at the house a few days earlier, looking at Joe Gary's extensive collection of music CDs and tapes. ..News Source.. by DALE LEZON, Houston Chronicle

Man fatally stabbed in Bell Gardens after fight involving teen girl

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5-11-2008 California:

Officials say the man was stabbed during a confrontation with the father and brother of the girl, 15, who said he had made sexual advances toward her.

A man was fatally stabbed Friday afternoon after he was confronted by the father and brother of a teenage girl who told them he had made sexual advances as she walked on a busy Bell Gardens street, authorities said today.

The stabbing took place about 3:43 p.m. in the 7700 block of Eastern Avenue near Clara Street shortly after the 15-year-old girl ran home and told her family she had just been accosted, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.

Shortly after, they said, the girl's father and brother went out in search of the man. They apparently located him quickly and a fight broke out. During the fight the man was stabbed, authorities said.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff's Deputy Rick Castro said no arrests had been made. Investigators have not determined who stabbed the man, he said. Bell Gardens police officers initially responded to the scene, Castro said.

The name of the man was not released pending notification of next of kin, county coroner's investigator Betsy Magdaleno said today.

It was unknown how the father and brother had identified the man as the one who allegedly accosted the teenager. Bell Gardens police declined to answer questions about the incident. A sheriff's deputy in the department's media relations office said she did not have more details to release. ..more.. by Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

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The Homicide Report

Ricardo Cortez, 40, a Latino man, was stabbed in the 7715 Eastern Ave. in Bell Gardens about 3:45 p.m. Friday, May 9. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said Cortez was stabbed after he was confronted by the father and son of a teenage girl who told them that he had allegedly accosted her. Authorities said the 15-year-old girl was walking on Eastern Avenue when the man made "sexual advances." The girl ran home and told her family.

The father and son found Cortez and a fight ensued, during which Cortez was stabbed, authorities said. It was unclear how the father and son identified Cortez as the one who accosted the girl. Deputy Luis Castro said no arrests were made because investigators had not determined who stabbed Cortez. Bell Gardens police officers were the first on scene, Castro said. ..News Source.. by LA Times

Man convicted of killing step-grandfather

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2-24-2009 Pennsylvania:

An Allegheny County jury convicted a Forward man of first-degree murder this afternoon in the killing of his step-grandfather.

Timothy Large Jr., 31, was acquitted of burglary but also convicted of theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud and abuse of a corpse.

Mr. Large, who was expressionless as the verdict was read, will be sentenced to a mandatory term of life in prison May 27.

This morning, defense attorney Veronica Brestensky, of the Office of Conflict Counsel, asked jurors to convict Mr. Large of voluntary manslaughter -- and not a more serious murder charge -- because he killed 71-year-old Vernon Hayden Sr. in a fit of passion.

Mr. Large testified that he had been sexually abused by Mr. Hayden as a child, and he accused Mr. Hayden of abusing his grandmother and sister as well. When Mr. Large went to Mr. Hayden's Elizabeth Township home the night of Dec. 7, 2007, he testified, Mr. Hayden made a sexual advance and slapped Mr. Large when he turned him down.

"It's not self-defense, but at that particular time, everything welled up and he lost control," Ms. Brestensky said.

In her closing argument, Assistant District Attorney Julie Capone argued for first-degree murder, saying that Mr. Large broke into Mr. Hayden's home with the intention of stealing his truck. When Mr. Hayden caught him, she said, Mr. Large decided to kill him.

Mr. Hayden's corpse was found more than a month later in Bedford County, after Mr. Large finally revealed its location. Mr. Hayden had been struck twice with a hammer and shot twice with a rifle.

Mr. Large never had mentioned sexual abuse in interviews with police, Ms. Capone said.

"I find it offensive and insulting," she said. "He's murdered him in cold blood and now he's going to say he's a molester on top of everything else. . . . He's a liar." ..News Source.. by Daniel Malloy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Reduced sentence ordered for Chicago killer

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9-25-2010 Illinois:

Court rules for Chicago woman who took part in the 2004 murder of a man she believed raped her infant daughter

A Chicago woman convicted of killing a man who allegedly raped her infant daughter should get a sharply reduced sentence, an appeals court has found, ruling that the judge who sentenced her to 67 years in prison failed to properly consider the "undeniably egregious nature of the provocation" that led to the 2004 slaying.

Laquita Calhoun, now 29, was bathing her 1-year-old daughter when she noticed signs of sexual abuse and went to confront a neighbor. Alonzo Jones, 29, confessed to abusing the girl, Calhoun told police. Another neighbor revealed Jones had molested one of her children too, witnesses said.

Jones was then beaten by several people in the apartment, then tossed screaming into the trunk of a car. "Take me to the hospital," one witness said Jones pleaded from the trunk, according to records cited by the Illinois Appellate Court. "Take me to the police station. Sorry (La)quita."

"You going to die tonight," Calhoun allegedly responded. Another woman in the car turned up the radio. The women stopped at a liquor store, where Calhoun slashed Jones with a broken bottle, and several men standing nearby began kicking him after being told Jones had raped an infant.

Later, mechanics failed to hear Jones' pleas for help at a shop where Calhoun went to repair a flat tire. Jones was eventually taken to an alley near Michigan Avenue and 56th Street, beaten with a stick by Calhoun until he collapsed, and run over with the car several times.

The medical examiner's office ruled Jones died of sharp- and blunt-force trauma.

After a jury found Calhoun guilty of murder, Cook County Judge Stanley Sacks said he had never seen a more "horrendous, vicious crime" and said her vigilantism had cost Calhoun the right to "live among a free society." He sentenced her to 67 years in prison, including the maximum 60 years for murder.

But the appeals court in Chicago wrote that Sacks failed in his sentencing to recognize that Calhoun had undergone a provocation "as extreme as any mother … could sustain" and, being unlikely to reoffend, deserved a sentence closer to 20 years. The court also noted that all the other defendants in the case got more lenient sentences from Sacks. ..Source.. by Steve Schmadeke, Tribune reporter