It took years, and the victim didn't really give a crap (plus, he was dead), but the detectives finally convinced enough people to testify and might have enough to charge a dope dealer with murdering another dope dealer:
Robert Tate took the identity of his killer to the grave.
After he was shot on the West Side in April 2010, officers asked the dying 17-year-old to name the gunman.
Police said he responded: “I know. But I ain’t telling you s---.” He died as paramedics tried to save him.
- Jones controlled drug sales in the 900 block of North Avers and was allegedly angry at Tate for hurting business there. Tate was selling fake drugs and robbing customers...
An internal conflict within the Fours. Tate was doing wrong and screwing up Jones' business. The outcome was all too predictable. Not to put too fine a spin on it, but we imagine the gang leadership was more than willing to have some witnesses come forward after a year when Jones was getting out of jail and would probably have wanted his corner back. What better way to keep a violent sociopath off the streets than to make sure he goes inside again while the gang continues to run the spot for everyone else's benefit?
Nice work by the detectives involved to wrap up this mess.
Nice work by the detectives involved to wrap up this mess.