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Posted: Tuesday, 27 October 2009 7:05AM
Plenty of evidence in McClendon slayings as murder charges await
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HEAR AUDIO FROM THE FUNERAL click here
Steve Miller reporting
WBBM Newsradio 780
CHICAGO (WBBM/STNG) -- More details are coming out about the murders of Milton and Ruby McClendon of Hammond, whose bodies were found in a Calumet City forest preserve a week ago.
Even though two teenagers are charged in connection with the murders, Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller says the investigation is just getting started.
"We're in the first quarter of a four-quarter investigation. We have a ton of physical evidence to go through."
Reo Jonta Thompson, 17, of the 900 block of Morris Street in Hammond, and Gregory Brooks Jr., 18, of the 800 block of East Highland Street in Hammond, are charged with robbery, burglary, confinement and auto theft, according to the probable cause affidavit.
They spent last night at the Cook County Jail in Chicago after an appearance in court Monday in Chicago, waiving extradition.
Murder charges have not been filed, but one of the slain couple's sons, Theodore McClendon, said officials are pursuing homicide charges.
Milton McClendon, 78, died of a gunshot to the head. Ruby McClendon, 76, died of multiple gunshot wounds. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruled their deaths homicides.
Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott says "lots of DNA" was found in the Cadillac that was stolen from Milton and Ruby McClendon.
McDermott says the thieves went to a fast food restaurant and left a spoon in the car. He says they were smoking marijuana in the car - and left DNA evidence behind - before they ran out of gas on the Dan Ryan Expressway, where they abandoned the car.
Both teenagers are charged with burglary, robbery, confinement and auto theft but not murder.
McDermott says even though blood was found in the McClendons' home, it's not certain where the murders were committed - so it's not clear which jurisdiction can charge them.
Hammond authorities are expected to retrieve Thompson and Brooks to face charges in Indiana.
Police say the charges the teenagers are already facing will hold them in custody.
But there is the question: Why no murder charges against them?
Hammond Mayor McDermott says it's not clear where the couple was killed.
The bodies were found in a Cook County forest preserve.
McDermott says the evidence suggests the McClendons were killed in their home in Hammond. And he says the McClendons' stolen Cadillac had no bullet holes.
But authorities are holding off, McDermott says, as the two teenagers point the finger at a third person, a "Kevin Langley."
And police say they have no reason to think a Kevin Langley exists.
The crime netted $70 in jewelry and a Cadillac.
A Hammond pawn shop called Cash for Gold is where the teenagers made their $70, police say.
The green Cadillac stolen from the McClendons? They abandoned it when they ran out of gas - after they'd smoked marijuana in it and littered it with the remains of a fast food meal - leaving behind lots of DNA, says Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott.
McDermott says tips came in from people who knew the teenagers - saw them in the Cadillac - and knew who the rightful owners were.
Authorities are looking for others who were seen in the car after the murders.
The teenagers were arrested in Chicago, where at least one of them had lived, McDermott says.
McDermott says the teenagers may also be linked to recent carjackings in Hammond.
In an affidavit released by Hammond police, it says one of the two teenagers charged in connection with the murders said the teenagers overpowered Milton McClendon. That they weren't satisfied with the $50 Ruby McClendon said she had in her purse.
That they forced Mr. McClendon to crawl upstairs, that they hit him on the head with a vase and kicked him in the stomach.
That Mr. McClendon said he was dizzy and told them to take jewelry and a .22 long rifle.
Later, the affidavit quotes the teenager as saying they "tied Mr. and Mrs. McClendon and put them in the closet.
"They left the residence and returned a short while later to 'finish them,'" the affidavit says.
According to some reports, one of the suspects knew the McClendons.
Another son, CLTV host Garrard McClendon, has said he has forgiven whoever killed his parents. "I have already forgiven these perpetrators. I don't hold on to that," he said.
"Everyone should consider that. There are some things we don't have control over. If we don't forgive, that pain will consume you."
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Contents of this site are Copyright 2009 by WBBM. The STNGwire contributed to this report.
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