Murder Charge Follows Use of a Deadly Weapon During Robbery

In 2014, an Illinois man faced charges of murder and use of a deadly weapon after a bank robbery resulted in the death of two bank employees. The bank robbery occurred earlier in the year, but details of the incident became public after a judge unsealed a warrant. The defendant faced very serious consequences, including a life prison sentence, if convicted of the use of a deadly weapon and other charges. So, what was the right next step for a person in that situation? Hire a lawyer.

At Wolfe & Stec LTD, our criminal defense lawyers have decades of experience helping people charged with serious offenses. If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, don’t wait to start your defense.

Contact us at Wolfe & Stec LTD by calling 630-305-0222.

Understanding the Charges

Use of a Deadly Weapon During a Robbery and Murder

According to the report of the robbery, the man entered the bank by using a side door. It was stated that, during the course of the robbery, he used a knife and a gun to threaten employees. Two bank employees died during the robbery, and another was seriously injured. According to the warrant, the defendant allegedly gave a confession admitting his involvement in the robbery.

Evidence in the case included DNA evidence matching blood on the defendant with the blood of the employees killed. He was also overheard talking to his mother on the phone during the police standoff, where he supposedly admitted to killing a woman. Police also claimed that he noted killing the victims during the robbery.

In Illinois, you can be charged with armed robbery if you allegedly committed a robbery with the use of a deadly weapon. Most people assume this means a firearm, but our criminal defense lawyers point out that it can also mean the use of other weapons, such as a:

• Bludgeon
• Ax
• Club
• Knife.

Armed robbery is charged as a Class X felony, which carries a mandatory prison sentence of up to 30 years. The problem in this case from 2014 was that the man faced murder charges as well. In Illinois, causing great bodily harm or death during the commission of a robbery can add anywhere from 15 years to life to the armed robbery sentence. In these circumstances, parole wouldn’t be permitted.

Potential Defense Strategies

It may have appeared that there was an overwhelming amount of evidence against the man from the armed bank robbery. However, it is important to note that he had not yet been convicted of the use of a deadly weapon, murder, or any other charges. Consequently, he was considered innocent by the law at that time. Although the burden of proof lay with the prosecution, he could have benefited from a strong criminal defense as he faced these charges.

There are a few defense strategies that could help when facing armed robbery and murder charges. One of these is claiming mistaken identity. Because these circumstances can be very stressful for everyone involved, witnesses may have mistakenly identified the defendant. A criminal defense lawyer can challenge the witness’s statements and the identification of the defendant.

Another option is to challenge how law enforcement conducted the investigation. There are numerous ways that the police can compromise a case. They may not have had legal warrants to search the defendant’s home, vehicle, or person, or they may have ignored exculpatory evidence. If the police didn’t give the defendant their Miranda warning at the right moment, or if they did anything that violated the man’s rights, then that can be used as a defense. An experienced lawyer can address all of these issues clearly to try to get charges reduced or dropped.

It’s also possible to offer an alibi to demonstrate that the defendant wasn’t at the site of the crime when it occurred. This can be an effective defense strategy if it’s appropriate for the case.

Relying on Aggressive Representation

Contact Wolfe & Stec LTD for Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys

Facing criminal charges of any sort is never easy, but murder and armed robbery charges carry especially harsh penalties, including a potential life sentence. These are not charges that anyone should face without representation. By hiring experienced criminal defense lawyers, you have the chance to refute the evidence against you.

At Wolfe & Stec LTD, we have decades of combined legal experience and a fierce dedication to each of our clients. Anyone facing serious criminal charges deserves lawyers who will fight for their rights. That’s what our team can do.

Call us at 630-305-0222 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.