James Finney | Homicide Watch Chicago

Friend: Slain artist David Finney made mural for movie 'Light It Up'

Michael Lansu — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 11:33:06 -0500

David Finney / Submitted photo

BY MATT McCALL
Homicide Watch Chicago

David Finney was almost done with an airbrushed mural of Michael Jordan and the 1992 U.S. men's Olympic basketball team, a friend said.

He will never get the chance to finish that mural because he was fatally shot April 10 during a domestic argument at his Morgan Park home, authorities said.

Friend Ashley Jones said Finney was an airbrush artist whose Roseland studio, Beyond Urban, kept the neighborhood safe.

Jones, 23, said Finney was always coming up with new ideas for drawings.

In 1999, Finney had a minor moment of fame as a mural artist for the film “Light It Up,” starring Usher Raymond and Forest Whitaker, Jones said.

Finney and Jones met at St. John’s Baptist Church, and she described him as a life-long mentor who encouraged her to go to school for graphic design.

“He taught me how to be a lady,” Jones said. “He saw me grow up from a baby to a lady.”

Prosecutors said Finney returned to his home in the 11300 block of South Green Street about 10 p.m. April 10 and got into an argument about money and bills with his brother, 42-year-old James Finney.

David Finney’s girlfriend then heard a single gunshot and James Finney say, “I just popped your ass,” prosecutors said.

James Finney ran away after the shooting, but police arrested him about 15 minutes later, prosecutors said. He was charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held on $1 million bond.

James Finney will be back in court May 1.

“[He] didn’t deserve what happened to him,” Jones said. “If anything were to happen, he would have wanted it to happen in his presence. He wanted us to be safe.”

Comment of the Day: "At least [you are] in heaven with mother [and] father now"

Michael Lansu — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 15:52:19 -0500

Prosecutors claim James Finney fatally shot his brother, 39-year-old David Finney, during an April 10 dispute over money in their Morgan Park home. Reader "Ashley" posted this about David Finney:

These are my brothers I'm heartbroken n I'm going to miss my big brother always I love u at least u in heaven with mother n father now

Prosecutors: James Finney killed brother David Finney in fight over money at Morgan Park home

Michael Lansu — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 19:59:13 -0500

James Finney / Photo from Chicago Police

BY REEMA AMIN
Sun-Times Media

A Morgan Park man shot his brother to death during an argument over money at their Far South Side home late Friday, prosecutors said.

David Finney, 39, returned to his home in the 11300 block of South Green Street about 10 p.m. Friday with his girlfriend and friend, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Barry Quinn.

Once inside, David Finney and his brother, 42-year-old James Finney, got into an argument over money and bills, Quinn said.

David Finney's girlfriend went to his bedroom when the brothers began to fight, then heard a single gunshot and James Finney say, "I just popped your ass," prosecutors said.

The friend, who had been waiting outside for a pizza, walked into the home and saw James Finney standing over his brother, Quinn said.

David Finney had been shot in the chest and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

After the shooting, James Finney left the home but police found him about 15 minutes later, according to Quinn, who said James Finney later told police he killed his brother.

James Finney, 42, was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Donald Panarese ordered him held on $1 bond during a Monday court hearing.

He was charged in 2013 with beating his brother, but David Finney did not show up to court and the case didn’t proceed further, Quinn said. He was also sentenced to 30 days in jail for a 2014 misdemeanor battery conviction.

James Finney, who shook his head as prosecutors detailed the killing, is a graduate of Morgan Park High School who currently works at a warehouse, according to a public defender.

He will be back in court May 1.