Prosecutor says suspect flashed gun
Two years ago, Jesse M. Beskow of Fox Lake went missing.
Last week, a Cook County medical examiner identified as his the human remains found near 103rd Street and Stoney Island on Chicago's South Side.
Two years ago, Preston J. Cooper and Jacqueline M. Gallagher had a party at the Palatine condo they shared. Six people, including Beskow, attended.
Only five survived.
And now, a prosecutor says Cooper showed his gun at the party and threatened the victim, and the victim dared him to shoot.
Palatine police this week arrested 20-year-old Gallagher, now of Round Lake Heights, who was charged with concealing a homicide. A judge set her bond at $100,000. The same day, a Cook County judge issued a no-bail warrant for Cooper's arrest.
Hours later, the 24-year-old Cooper, accompanied by his attorney Chuck Murphy, turned himself in to Palatine police. He was charged with first-degree murder.
Wednesday afternoon, Cooper, of Ingleside, appeared in bond court. While Murphy did not request a reduction of the no-bond order, he said, "There will come a day when we request a reasonable bail."
Until then, the Ingleside resident remains in Cook County Jail.
Wednesday, after Cooper's appearance in a Rolling Meadows court, assistant state's attorney Patrick Morley of the Cold Case Unit revealed that Cooper showed his gun to people at the party. Later while other guests slept, Morley says, Cooper informed Beskow, "I could blow your brains out."
"Go ahead," Beskow reportedly responded. "I'm not afraid to die."
Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot and seeing Cooper holding a gun, Morley said. After the shooting, authorities say, Cooper, Gallagher and Cooper's father removed Beskow's clothes and put his body into the trunk of a car. They drove to the South Side and left Beskow's body among weeds near a city incinerator, authorities say.
The trio then returned to the condo to clean up the crime scene, which included painting and replacing the carpet, authorities say.
Morley indicated that information developed over the last year led first to witnesses, then to Cooper's father, who helped police locate Beskow's remains, and finally to Cooper himself. Citing the ongoing investigation, Morley would not comment as to whether anyone else faces charges.
Palatine police said they are looking into the possibility of additional concealment charges against witnesses police say lied about any knowledge of the crime. But police said those witnesses are now cooperating with authorities.
Shoot: Police say witnesses are cooperating
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