$800K bail set for Cicero boy, 17, accused of murder
(Tribune photo illustration)
A 17-year-old Cicero boy is accused of helping a gunman fatally shoot a 27-year-old man last month in the Avondale neighborhood, prosecutors said in court Tuesday afternoon.
William J. Hill, who is charged with murder, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon before Judge Laura Sullivan who set bail at $800,000 during a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Hill, of the 3200 block of South 54th Avenue in Cicero, got into an argument with the victim, Jeremy Rodgers, who is also known as J.R., outside of a BP gas station in 3900 block of West Belmont Avenue on June 5 in front of several witnesses, according to Asst. State's Attny. Holly Grosshans.
One of the witnesses tried to break up the argument, and during it, Hill was seen making a call on his cell phone. A few minutes later, an unidentified male came from across the street and had "momentary contact'' with Hill, according to Grosshans.
After a few more minutes, another unidentified male whose face was partially covered with a mask and who was armed with a gun approached from the area of a nearby laundromat, prosecutors said. Witnesses saw and heard Hill point Rodgers out to the gunman, who shot at him multiple times before he and Hill fled.
Rodgers, of the 1800 block of South Springfield Avenue, was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he died June 16, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy June 17 determined Rodgers died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner's office.
Hill and gunman fled the area together, and Hill was arrested Monday.
Police say no other arrests have been made in the case.