Court hears woman's St. Charles slaying
In her final moments, Karen Hassan pleaded for her life.
Her assailant ignored the St. Charles single mother's words, but they did not remain unheard.
For the first time, DuPage County prosecutors made public Tuesday the heart-wrenching, 90-second audio recording of the Nov. 2, 2006, attack on the pizza delivery driver near West Chicago.
Prosecutors played the recording in court as they try to convince DuPage Circuit Judge Peter J. Dockery the slaying was exceptionally brutal and heinous. If so, Bradley M. Justice, 31, of Sandwich, faces a possible life prison sentence rather than a maximum of 60 years. Dockery might rule today.
Justice pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder and armed robbery. He ambushed and fatally beat Hassan with a hammer just six weeks after the 41-year-old woman began the delivery job to help support her four sons after being laid off.
Prosecutors Robert Berlin and Audriana Anderson said Hassan talked to her attorney, Scott Sheen, earlier that evening about an unrelated family issue. She hit the redial button and reached the attorney's 24-hour answering service after growing alarmed during the delivery.
Her sons describe Hassan as a fighter, but it's clear in the recording she never had a chance after suffering the first blow.
The operator is heard identifying the St. Charles law firm and asking if the caller needs an attorney. Hassan asks the operator to hold on a minute. At one point, a male voice said: "It's on the metal." Hassan repeats his response, which confused her.
Then, without warning, she is struck with repeated blows. Each blow is audible. More than once, Hassan cries out in pain and says, "What are you doing? Stop it! Help!"
The disturbing recording ends with her anguished moans.
Hassan's sons - Steve, Chris, Nicholas and Andy - were in the packed courtroom Tuesday. The youngest, Andy, 21, waited outside as the recording was played. The second-oldest, Chris, 24, physically shook while fighting to control his emotion.
Hassan left Rosati's Pizza in St. Charles about 8:30 p.m. to deliver $78 worth of pizzas, chicken wings and soda near North Avenue and Powis Road near West Chicago.
One of her sons, Nicholas, who also worked at the restaurant, investigated after a manager called him to report she had failed to return. Nicholas 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 said. He was arrested the next day in downstate Tuscola after police tracked him to a motel through the use of the slain woman's cellular phone.
Karen Hassan worked in insurance companies, restaurants and a tavern to support her family. Her husband died in 1999 of a heart attack. Her boys are struggling to keep their house and support each other. To help, visit Harris Bank or mail a donation to Hassan Family Memorial Fund, Harris Bank, 1 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL., 60174.
Recording: Youngest son waited outside courtroom as tape was played