Chicago to turn reports over to murder defense attorney

A city of Chicago attorney agreed Wednesday to turn over Chicago Police Department reports to defense counsel who believe the reports might yield information crucial to their defense of Patrick Taylor, 41, charged with first-degree murder in the 2006 shooting death of Rolling Meadows resident Marquis Lovings.

If convicted, Taylor, of 7500 block of Vernon in Chicago, could face the death penalty. His trial is scheduled to begin later this year in Rolling Meadows' Third Municipal District.

The reports concern what's believed to be the murder weapon, a gun Cook County Assistant Public Defenders Jim Mullenix and Kristina Yi say has been linked to other crimes, including other murders. Prosecutors initially objected to the release of the reports, but dropped that objection at Wednesday's hearing.

Taylor next appears in court on June 22.