Man admits to killing mom delivering pizzas in W. Chicago

Bradley M. Justice admitted Thursday murdering a St. Charles single mom as she delivered pizzas near West Chicago in a brutal crime captured on audiotape.

The 31-year-old DeKalb County man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and armed robbery. Prosecutors may play the recording Tuesday as his sentencing hearing gets under way.

Justice fatally beat Karen Hassan with a hammer Nov. 2, 2006, shortly after the 41-year-old woman was laid off and began the delivery job to help support her four sons. Her husband died in 1999 of a heart attack.

Prosecutor Robert Berlin said Hassan talked to her attorney earlier that evening about an unrelated family issue. She hit the redial button after growing alarmed during the delivery.

In her final moments, Hassan pleaded for her life. More than once, Berlin said, she asks, "Why are you doing this to me?" The disturbing tape ends with her muffled moaning.

Justice may face a life prison sentence if the judge next week finds the crime particularly brutal and heinous. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. Justice did not have a violent criminal history.

Hassan's sons - Steve, Chris, Nicholas and Andy - were in court Thursday. Chris Hassan said the family is relieved Justice admitted his guilt, rather than putting them through an emotional trial, which was slated to begin next week.

"He's finally accepted some responsibility," said Chris Hassan, 24, " but I still don't feel that's correct justice for us. I've been begging for a death sentence - we all have. My mom still had a whole lot of life left to live. He robbed her of that."

Berlin said Hassan left Rosati's restaurant about 8:30 p.m. to deliver $78 worth of pizzas, chicken wings and soda near North Avenue and Powis Road. One of her sons, Nicholas, who also worked at the restaurant, investigated after she failed to return. He drove to the delivery area and called 911. Officers later discovered his mother's bludgeoned body and the murder weapon.

Justice fled with Hassan's cellular phone, credit cards and about $400 to buy more crack cocaine. Police arrested him that next day in downstate Tuscola after tracking him to a motel through the use of the slain woman's cellular phone.

Berlin said authorities have at least three key witnesses who tie Justice to the crime. He said a bouncer at a strip club near the murder scene identified Justice as the man who borrowed his phone to order the pizzas. Prosecutors said Justice's drug buddy told them the defendant had him hide the food and a bag containing restaurant receipts. Another acquaintance who sold Justice crack cocaine said the defendant confessed, paid with Hassan's credit cards and called him with her stolen phone.