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Janet Strickland, Chicago woman, allegedly commissioned 19-year-old grandson to kill grandfather

Janet Strickland Chicago Police via CBS Chicago

(CBS) CHICAGO - Janet Strickland, a 64-year-old Chicago woman, allegedly commissioned her 19-year-old grandson, William Strickland, to kill her husband as he awaited a ride to a dialysis appointment last month, CBS Chicago reports.

A Cook County judge set Janet Strickland's bond at $500,000 on Saturday. She did not appear in court because she was being treated at a local hospital for lung disease, authorities said, according to the station.

Authorities say Janet Strickland discussed wanting to get rid of her 72-year-old husband on numerous occasions, the station reports. She allegedly said she was "sick" of him and wanted him dead.

According to the station, Janet Strickland let her 19-year-old grandson take her husband's gun and let the teen use her car on the morning of the murder.

The grandson, William Strickland, allegedly shot his grandfather, who is also named William Strickland, six times in the back as he emerged from the South Side home that all three of them shared in the early morning hours of March 2, the station reports.

Authorities say Janet Strickland looked on as her grandson killed her husband, then grabbed a Horseshoe casino bag of money that belonged to the older Strickland and proceeded to take her grandson on a shopping spree, even buying him a car.

Police also said the younger Strickland took his grandfather's wallet after the killing and spent the money on a new phone, gym shoes and tattoos.

The grandson was arrested and charged last week in his grandfather's slaying. He is being held in the Cook County jail without bail.

Complete coverage of Janet and William Strickland on Crimesider

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