Man's statement is allowed at trial

On the three-year anniversary of a Warrenville girl's murder, a judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors may use a former classmate's confession as evidence in his trial.

Joshua Lee Matthews, 22, sought to bar his videotaped statements. The Hillside man argued police coerced him into talking after promising leniency.

Matthews is accused of shooting 17-year-old Sade Glover on Oct. 9, 2004, as she stepped from her car. Her mother, Barbara Hudson, found her only child slain outside their townhouse on Winchester Circle.

Less than two weeks earlier, Matthews was arrested for misdemeanor battery after Glover accused him of punching her in the face during a dispute in her garage. After posting bond, authorities allege, Matthews ambushed Glover to keep her from testifying.

Police zeroed in on Matthews early in the investigation. A couple days later, they tracked him down through cellular phone technology to a Maywood home. He agreed to meet with police for questioning.

Matthews, who is choosing to act as his own lawyer, insists he only talked to investigators after Maywood police promised him a deal.

Prosecutor Steven Knight played the videotaped conversation for DuPage Circuit Judge Perry Thompson, who ruled Tuesday that proper procedure was followed. On the tape, Matthews confessed to the shooting, admitted ditching the gun and apologized to Glover's family.

"It's not just his word against the detectives," Knight said. "The video is crystal clear. He is alert, coherent, responds to questions appropriately and indicates he was treated fairly."

Matthews has remained in DuPage County jail without bond since October 2004 on first-degree murder charges. He is due in court Nov. 15, when the judge may set a trial date. If convicted, prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.

Matthews and Glover attended Wheaton Warrenville South High School, where they were described as acquaintances. One year before the slaying, Matthews was released from prison after serving part of a four-year term for beating a cab driver and robbing a woman. His juvenile criminal history includes possession of marijuana, mob action and theft.

Sade Glover worked at a Walgreens and attended College of DuPage. Her family said she was planning on transferring to Northern Illinois University to pursue her goal to become a genetic scientist.