Post by CCADP on Aug 18, 2005 9:17:20 GMT -5
Confession in slaying of teen OKd for trial
Judge refuses to quash defendant's statements
By Art Barnum
Tribune staff reporter
Published August 18, 2005
The confession of Turner Reeves III, the Hanover Park man accused in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Carol Stream girl, can be introduced at his trial, a judge said Wednesday.
Cook County Judge Joseph Urso ruled Wednesday against suppressing several written and videotaped statements and a confession that Reeves gave DuPage County police in the days after the May 31, 2002, death of Nassim Davoodi, a Bartlett High School freshman.
Urso said that Reeves' contention that he was denied his request for an attorney at least eight times, "wasn't credible," and that "clearly his statements were voluntary."
Urso noted that Reeves claims his requests always were made when neither a tape nor video recorder was operating.
"I don't believe the police cut corners," Urso said. "They acted properly and logically in trying to find a 14-year old girl."
Leland Shalgos, defense attorney, claimed that police denying his client an attorney violated Reeves' constitutional rights. "Maybe they cut to try and find the girl, but the end doesn't justify the means," he said.
Assistant DuPage County States Atty. Jane Radostits told Urso that "police didn't lie to Reeves; he lied to them." She said that Reeves told two different stories about what happened to Davoodi before leading police to her shallow grave near Long Grove.
Reeves' murder trial is to start Sept. 23.
Another man in the case, Skyler Chambers, 23, of Hayward, Calif., has been convicted of Davoodi's rape and murder. His sentencing is pending.
Prosecutors have stated they are seeking the death penalty for Chambers and will do so for Reeves also, if he is convicted.
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Chicago Tribune
abarnum@tribune.com