Devon Brunt | Homicide Watch Chicago

Devon Brunt found not guilty of 2013 murder of Telkia Burns, but he's still going to prison

Jeff Mayes — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:16:08 -0500

A South Side man found not guilty of shooting Navy veteran Telkia Burns to death in South Chicago in 2013 will still spend time in prison for another crime.

Devon Brunt | Illinois Dept. of Corrections

Devon Brunt, 20, was found not guilty of first-degree murder Monday after a bench trial in front of Judge James Linn, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Brunt was accused of fatally shooting Burns on the afternoon of Aug. 25, 2013, in the 9100 block of South Commercial Avenue, authorities said at the time.

During court proceedings, prosecutors said Burns was hanging out in the vestibule of his apartment building with a friend when Brunt, 18 at the time, started a fight with Burns. At some point, prosecutors said, Brunt pulled a handgun and put a round in a chamber in front of Burns and his friend.

Brunt then demanded Burns’ property, and was given a watch, cellphone and cash, prosecutors said. Not satisfied, Brunt asked for more, but Burns tried to grab the weapon and the two struggled before Brunt shot Burns in the head and fled.

Burns, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Iraq, Kuwait and Japan, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Brunt, of the 9600 block of South Merrill Avenue, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery of a peace officer and was sentenced to four years in prison, according to the state's attorney's office.

He will serve his sentence at Stateville Correctional Center.

No bond for teen charged with murdering Iraqi War veteran

John Carpenter — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:35:14 -0500

By Michael Lansu and Rummana Hussain

A South Side man was ordered held without bond Wednesday for allegedly murdering a 33-year-old Iraq war veteran in a robbery over the weekend in the South Chicago neighborhood.

Telkia Burns was hanging out in the vestibule of his apartment building in the 9100 block of South Commercial with a friend talking and drinking beer when 18-year-old Devon Brunt started a fight with Burns early Sunday afternoon, Cook County prosecutors said.

At some point, Brunt pulled out a handgun and a loaded magazine before loading the gun and putting a round in a chamber in front of Burns and his friend, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Bridget O’Brien said.

Brunt then allegedly demanded Burns’ property. Burns gave Brunt his watch, cellphone and cash, O’Brien said. But Brunt wasn’t satisfied and demanded more, O’Brien said.

That’s when Burns tried to grab the weapon and the two were soon struggling, O’Brien said. Brunt allegedly ended up shooting Burns in the head and fled.

Burns, who lived on the block, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was declared dead about an hour later, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Brunt, the 9600 block of South Merrill, has a previous aggravated battery conviction as a juvenile and a pending weapons case.

He was allegedly identified in a photo array and lineup, prosecutors said.

Family members said Burns saw service in the Iraq war, Kuwait and Japan while in the U.S. Navy. They said he was studying youth counseling at Chicago State University.

Contributing: AP

Man charged in South Chicago murder, robbery

John Carpenter — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 21:49:44 -0500

A South Side man was charged with murder Tuesday for allegedly shooting a man dead in the South Chicago neighborhood during a Sunday afternoon robbery.

Devon Brunt, 18, of the 9600 block of South Merrill Avenue, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, police said.

Brunt is accused of fatally shooting Tekia Burns about 3:05 p.m. Sunday in the 9100 block of South Commercial Avenue.

Brunt allegedly walked up to Burns, 33, pulled out a gun and demanded his belongings, police said. A scuffle ensued and Brunt shot Burns in the head.

Burns, who lived on the block, was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was declared dead about an hour later, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Brunt is expected to appear for a bond hearing Wednesday at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse in the 2600 block of South California Avenue.

- Sun-Times Media Wire