While 1000 Pay Tribute to TV Host Garrard McClendon's Murdered Parents, Police Charge Two Suspects

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Personal Photo)

Photo: Milton and Ruby McClendon with son, Garrard McClendon.

HAMMOND, Ind. (CBS/AP) As more than a thousand mourners gathered at a Munster, Ind. church for the parents of Chicago CLTV television host Garrard McClendon, police say charges have been filed against two teenagers in connection with their deaths, but still no charges of murder.

Hammond police said at a Monday news conference that 17-year-old Reo Thompson and 18-year-old Gregory Brooks, Jr., are each charged with two counts of robbery, auto theft, two counts of burglary and four counts of confinement.

The pair is accused of robbing the home of 78-year-old Milton and 76-year-old Ruby McClendon whose bullet riddled bodies were found in an Illinois forest preserve. Milton McClendon died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to officials, and Ruby McClendon died of a gunshot to the head.

Both teenagers are held in Chicago and waived extradition hearings on Monday. As of now, no murder charges have been filed, but authorities continue to investigate.

Crowds of mourners packed into St. Paul Episcopal Church, including the McClendons' three sons, Garrard, Theo and Duane.

After the service, Garrard McClendon called for a "day of forgiveness," reported the Chicago Tribune.

"The pain is terrible," the television host said according to the paper. "My parents didn't deserve this, but we forgive those that did this to my parents."

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October 22, 2009 - Parents of Chicago TV Host Garrard McClendon Found Shot to Death in Forest

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