Verna Tobicoe | Homicide Watch Chicago

WEEK IN REVIEW: Six killed throughout Chicago

Michael Lansu — Mon, 11 May 2015 09:09:36 -0500

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Six people were killed throughout Chicago last week, including a 53-year-old woman who was stabbed and a 5-year-old girl who was beaten to death.

Two men were shot to death over the weekend, when at least 21 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent killing happened when 23-year-old Theo Hike was shot multiple times in the 7400 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue in Greater Grand Crossing about 11:55 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Hike, of the 7300 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, died early Sunday at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

In Englewood, 22-year-old Marcus D. Franklin was on a sidewalk in the 7200 block of South Green Street when a gunman walked up and repeatedly shot him in the chest and neck about 12:55 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Franklin, of the 700 block of West 61st Street, was declared dead at Holy Cross Hospital less than an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Thursday, 28-year-old Antonio Galtney was shot multiple times in the 7000 block of South Sangamon Street in Englewood about 7:25 p.m., authorities said.

Galtney, of the 500 block of East 51st Street, died less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In the South Chicago community, 5-year-old Verna Tobicoe was found unresponsive at her home in the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue about 12:15 p.m. Thursday and was declared dead at South Shore Hospital less than an hour later, authorities said.

An autopsy determined Verna died from internal injuries from multiple blunt force impacts, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Verna’s stepmother, 27-year-old Lisamarie Villasana, was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered her held without bond Saturday, authorities said.

On Tuesday, 53-year-old Jerren Jackson was stabbed to death at her home in the 6200 block of North Bell Avenue in the West Ridge community about 4 p.m., authorities said.

Her son, 24-year-old Jerome Jackson, was charged with first degree murder and is expected to appear in court Monday for a bond hearing, authorities said.

The killing started when 26-year-old Joseph Williams was stabbed to death during a fight with his girlfriend at his apartment in the 10700 block of South Bensley Avenue in the South Deering community about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

The girlfriend was initially taken into custody, but she was later released without being charged, police said.

In 2015, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 132 Chicago deaths a homicide, including one person fatally shot by police.

Prosecutors: Lisamarie Villasana beat 5-year-old stepdaughter to death in South Chicago home

Michael Lansu — Sun, 10 May 2015 11:06:28 -0500

Lisamarie Villasana / Photo from Chicago Police

A South Side woman has been charged with murder after her 5-year-old stepdaughter was found beaten to death at their South Chicago home Thursday.

Verna Tobicoe was found unresponsive at her home in the 8300 block of South Brandon Avenue about 12:15 p.m. Thursday and was declared dead at South Shore Hospital less than an hour later, authorities said.

An autopsy determined Verna died from internal injuries from multiple blunt force impacts, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Verna's stepmother, 27-year-old Lisamarie Villasana, was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered her held without bond Saturday, authorities said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Goldfarb said Verna suffered a lacerated liver, a subdural hematoma on the back of her head, lacerated intestines, multiple skull fractures, and had “fresh and older bruising,” including cigarette burns and a wound on the tip of her right index finger “consistent with a bite,” according to the Chicago Tribune.

An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokeswoman had said that the agency was investigating Verna’s father and stepmother for allegations of abuse and neglect.

The department had prior contact with the family when a 2014 report indicated the girl’s biological mother for neglect, according to the spokeswoman.

Villasana will be back in court Monday.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Verna Tobicoe, 5, beaten to death in South Chicago

Michael Lansu — Fri, 08 May 2015 15:49:02 -0500

A 5-year-old girl was beaten to death in the South Chicago neighborhood Thursday.

An autopsy determined Verna died from internal injuries from multiple blunt force impacts, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect against Verna’s father and stepmother, DCFS spokeswoman Veronica Resa said.

The department had prior contact with the family when a 2014 report indicated the girl’s biological mother for neglect, Resa said.

Area South detectives are questioning family members, police said.