Cousins Charged With Robbing, Killing Man On West Side
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Bond was denied for one man and set at $900,000 for his cousin Wednesday after they were charged with the robbery and fatal shooting of a man on the West Side last week.
According to court records, as Todd Grace held 49-year-old Howard Hill after he refused to hand over cash, his cousin Frederick Lee shot Hill several times. After Grace threw Hill's body to the ground and went through his pockets, taking money, Lee shot him again, saying, "You think this is a game."
The robbery and shooting happened about 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 on the 2800 block of West Wilcox Street, according to court records. About two hours before it occurred, Hill and Lee had both been on the 2800 block of West Wilcox and Lee saw that Hill had cash on him.
Lee decided he would rob Hill and went to a location off Polk Street, where he stashes weapons, prosecutors allege. He retrieved a handgun, visited Grace at his home and told him of his intent to rob Hill.
Grace and Lee, armed with a gun, then went to the 2800 block of West Wilcox and approached Hill, who was unarmed. He walked away, but they followed and Lee demanded money, court records said. When he refused, Grace grabbed him by his sweatshirt and Lee started shooting, striking him several times.
Hill, who was dead on the scene, died of multiple gunshot wounds, an autopsy later found.
A witness known to both cousins saw the murder and identified both. In admitting their involvement to police, Lee also admitted he sold the murder weapon for $50 after the shootings, court records said.
Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Lee held without bond and Grace held on $900,000 bond.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
