Meeting for drug deal, argument over debt led to stabbing

James Webb and Cydric Jones were not meeting under the best of circumstances on Aug. 20, 2008.

Webb, 24, wanted some cocaine but was so afraid of dealing with Jones that he called another drug dealer several times in an attempt to avoid Jones, his attorney said.

Prosecutors said Webb was not afraid enough of Jones to plan to kill him, and told his cousin he intended to do so as they walked to the meeting at Brentwood and Golfview drives in Round Lake Beach.

Jones wound up dead of a single stab wound through his heart, and Webb went on trial for first-degree murder Tuesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Assistant State's Attorney Steven Derue told the jury in his opening statement that Webb, of Round Lake, exchanged several calls with Jones, 36, of Waukegan, during the hours leading up to their 1 a.m. confrontation.

Webb owed Jones $175 for past drug purchases, Derue said, and told his cousin he was going to "stick" Jones with the five-inch knife he had in his pocket.

Defense attorney Eric Rinehart of Waukegan told the jurors Jones had told his client he was "not playing games anymore" over the debt and that Webb believed Jones had a gun.

The two exchanged words when they met, Derue said, and Jones swung his fist at Webb's head.

Webb swung back, but was holding the knife in his hand and plunged it so deep into Jones' chest that the blade broke off the handle.

Jones ran down Kildeer Drive for a little over two blocks before he stopped at a house in the 1500 block and pounded on the door.

Derue said the man who answered the door at the house will testify Jones pulled the blade out of his chest before collapsing in front of him.

Webb had chased Jones down the street, Derue said, as police found the knife handle near a house next to the one where Jones had stopped.

Rinehart said there is no evidence Webb chased Jones, because a person who was in a car near the scene saw Webb run into a park in the opposite direction Jones was running.

Webb, who was arrested two days after the murder and has been held on $2 million bond, faces 20 to 60 years if convicted.