Bid to save killer's life starts today
The jury found he lied, cheated and murdered the people who loved him most.
But should Eric C. Hanson die for his crimes?
His defense team will try today to persuade jurors to spare the 31-year-old Naperville man's life as the mitigation phase of his sentencing hearing begins.
The same jury convicted him Feb. 20 of executing his parents, sister and her husband in 2005. They also found Hanson eligible for capital punishment and will deliberate Wednesday on whether to impose it. If so, he will be the 14th condemned man on Illinois' death row.
Part of the defense strategy today is to give jurors a preview of Hanson's dismal future behind bars. A state prison expert will testify about that harsh existence if Hanson is allowed to live.
More Coverage Stories Sister draws tears from killer brother [02/23/08]Victim-impact statement of Jennifer Williams [02/23/08]Victim-impact statement of Chu_ter Tsao [02/23/08] Jurors must decide if Hanson deserves death penalty [02/22/08] Hanson eligible for death penalty [02/21/08] Hanson guilty in deaths of four family members [02/21/08] Jury deliberates in quadruple murder trial [02/20/08] Hanson denies killings [02/16/08] Prosecution nearing end of case against Hanson [02/15/08] Pathologist details final moments of life [02/09/08] Second crime scene key [02/07/08] Sister pins blame on her brother [02/06/08] Prosecution turns to former flames [02/02/08] Testimony begins in quadruple murder case [02/01/08] Eric Hanson: 'All I know is, I didn't do it' [01/28/08] How authorities came to charge Eric Hanson [01/27/08] Multimedia Photo Gallery: Hanson trial: Synopsis Photo Gallery: Hanson trial legal team Video: Hanson trial: victims Daily Herald Archives Four in family found slain [09/30/05] Police question victims' relative [10/01/05] Fireplace poker could be crucial piece of puzzle [10/02/05] Relative fighting extradition [10/04/05] Charges loom in quadruple murder case [11/04/05] Suspect set for return to Illinois [11/09/05] Details in quadruple homicide [12/09/05] Death penalty sought in four murders [02/18/06] Alleged threat can be heard [05/18/06] Judge will allow tape in court [05/23/06] Family details get out [06/21/07] The Full Reports Nov. 4 arrest warrant Wisc. extradition request Wisc. arrest warrant Sept. 29 arrest warrant Intimidation charge
But the defense has an arduous task. Hanson does not suffer from a mental illness, low intelligence or childhood abuse or neglect. In fact, he was raised in an affluent family by two loving parents.
Nearly 20 prosecution witnesses testified Friday about his past growing up in Minnesota and Michigan. He was in special education classes while struggling with attention deficit disorder.
Hanson spent time in a home for troubled youths because of behavioral problems. There was testimony that he, at 16, held a knife to his sister's throat. He is a convicted felon with past convictions for home invasion, retail theft and battery.
On Sept. 29, 2005, police discovered the bludgeoned bodies of Katherine "Kate" Hanson-Tsao, 31, along with her husband, Jimmy, 34, in their upscale Aurora home.
Terrance Hanson, 57, and his wife, Mary, 55, also were found slain there. They had been shot in their bed in Naperville, where Eric lived, then transported to Kate's home 5 miles away.
Prosecutors argued Hanson killed them out of greed after his credit card scam in his folks' names unraveled.