Anthony Morris | Homicide Watch Chicago

Prosecutors: Tierra Williams beat Anthony Morris to death with baseball bat

Michael Lansu — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 16:11:47 -0600

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Tierra Williams was ordered held on $900,000 bond Monday after prosecutors said she drove her boyfriend to beat a man to death in the Park Manor neighborhood in March.

On March 26, Anthony Morris met Aaron Smith to buy marijuana in the 7000 block of South Vincennes Avenue, but instead Morris decided to steal “a large quantity of marijuana,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen Rogers.

Williams is Smith's girlfriend and was present for the alleged drug deal and theft, Rogers said.

After taking the drugs, Morris ran away and called a nearby friend to pick him up, Rogers said.

Williams and Smith followed Morris, and eventually Smith exited the car and began to chase him on foot while Williams continued her pursuit in the car, Rogers said.

Smith caught up with Morris and a group of his acquaintances beat Morris. When Williams arrived, she got out of the car with a baseball bat and hit Morris in the head with it at least twice, Rogers said.

When Morris attempted to crawl away, the group beat him until he laid motionless, Rogers said.

Witnesses said Smith picked up an object over the ground and used it to hit Morris in the head multiple times, Rogers said. The witnesses 911 and Morris was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Aaron Smith / Photo from Chicago Police

Morris, 27, of Jackson, Tenn., died at the hospital April 3 from complications from the head and brain injuries, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Smith, 28, of the 6500 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, was arrested in October and charged with murder, authorites said. Judge James Brown ordered him held on $1 million bond on Oct. 21.

On Nov. 1, police discovered Williams, 29, in a vehicle that matched the description of the one used during the beating. A witness identified her as the person who hit Morris in the head with the bad and she was charged with first-degree murder, authorities said.

On Monday, Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Williams, of the 6600 block of South Rockewell Street, held on $900,000 bond.

Williams will be back in court Nov. 10.

Prosecutors: Aaron Smith beat Anthony Morris to death for stealing drugs

Michael Lansu — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:16:09 -0500

Aaron Smith / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Aaron Smith was ordered held on $1 million bond Tuesday after prosecutors claimed he beat Anthony Morris to death in the Park Manor neighborhood in March.

On March 26, Morris met Smith to buy marijuana in the 7000 block of South Vincennes Avenue, but instead Morris decided to steal "a large quantity of marijuana," said Assistant State's Attorney Colleen Rogers.

After taking the drugs, Morris ran away and called a nearby friend to pick him up, Rogers said.

Smith and his acquaintances followed the vehicle and the group beat Morris a short distance later, Rogers said. When Morris attempted to crawl away, the group beat him until he laid motionless, Rogers said.

Morris, 27, of Jackson, Tenn., died at the hospital April 3 from complications from the head and brain injuries, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Smith, 28, of the 6500 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, was arrested this week and charged with murder, authorites said.

On Tuesday, Judge James Brown ordered Smith held on $1 million bond.

Smith was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2002 and 2004, according to court records. Smith's public defender noted he is a forklift operator and volunteers at church.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain

Anthony Morris beaten to death in Park Manor community

LeeAnn Shelton — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:38:11 -0500

Tennessee resident Anthony Morris died more than a week after he was found beaten Park Manor neighborhood.

Morris, 27, was found unresponsive and bleeding in the 7000 block of South Vincennes Avenue about 1:30 p.m. March 26, police said.

The Jackson, Tenn., man was initially taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died at 7:20 a.m. April 3, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy found Morris died of complications from head and brain injuries caused by being struck on the head, according to the medical examiner’s office. The death was ruled a homicide.

Nobody has been charged in the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire