Sister draws tears from killer brother

For weeks, Eric C. Hanson remained composed while facing a DuPage County jury that will decide if he lives or dies for killing his family.

He never broke down despite horrific details of the quadruple homicide, a grueling five hours on the witness stand, or when he heard the word "guilty" for the first time.

But the Naperville man's stoical expression changed Friday when his older sister, Jennifer Williams, described the sad irony of his crimes.

"Eric murdered the only people in his life that loved him unconditionally -- my mother, father and sister," she said, "the most wonderful people that I was so fortunate to have called my family."

More Coverage Stories Victim-impact statement of Jennifer Williams [02/23/08]Victim-impact statement of Chu_ter Tsao [02/23/08] Jurors must decide if Hanson deserves death penalty [02/22/08] Hanson eligible for death penalty [02/21/08] Hanson guilty in deaths of four family members [02/21/08] Jury deliberates in quadruple murder trial [02/20/08] Hanson denies killings [02/16/08] Prosecution nearing end of case against Hanson [02/15/08] Pathologist details final moments of life [02/09/08] Second crime scene key [02/07/08] Sister pins blame on her brother [02/06/08] Prosecution turns to former flames [02/02/08] Testimony begins in quadruple murder case [02/01/08] Eric Hanson: 'All I know is, I didn't do it' [01/28/08] How authorities came to charge Eric Hanson [01/27/08] Multimedia Photo Gallery: Hanson trial: Synopsis Photo Gallery: Hanson trial legal team Video: Hanson trial: victims Daily Herald Archives Four in family found slain [09/30/05] Police question victims' relative [10/01/05] Fireplace poker could be crucial piece of puzzle [10/02/05] Relative fighting extradition [10/04/05] Charges loom in quadruple murder case [11/04/05] Suspect set for return to Illinois [11/09/05] Details in quadruple homicide [12/09/05] Death penalty sought in four murders [02/18/06] Alleged threat can be heard [05/18/06] Judge will allow tape in court [05/23/06] Family details get out [06/21/07] The Full Reports Nov. 4 arrest warrant Wisc. extradition request Wisc. arrest warrant Sept. 29 arrest warrant Intimidation charge

Hanson, 31, wiped away tears as Williams described their father as her hero, their mother as a best friend, and their sister as a devoted aunt who spoiled her nieces and a nephew.

The jury convicted Hanson Wednesday of killing his parents, other sister and her husband in 2005. The panel also found him eligible for the death penalty, but is weighing whether to impose it.

If so, Hanson would become the 14th condemned man on Illinois' death row.

Williams joined nearly 20 prosecution witnesses Friday who described his troubled past growing up in Minnesota and Michigan. As a child, he was in special education classes while struggling with attention deficit disorder. Hanson spent time in a home for troubled youths because of behavioral problems.

As he aged, Hanson was convicted of home invasion, retail theft and, in 1999, aggravated battery. Three girlfriends described how he lied, stole and, on a few occasions, became violent.

Most disturbing, though, was a 911 call involving his sister, Kate, on Feb. 10, 1993, when she told police he held a knife against her throat when they lived in Burnsville, Minn. Eric was 16. An officer read Friday the words Kate wrote in a police report.

"(He) got very mad at me and grabbed the top of my hair and threw me down on the hardwood floor," said officer Eric Gieseke, reading Kate's statement. "His face turned color because he was so angry. He said, 'I might as well kill you because as soon as my probation officer finds out, I'll be sent away anyway.' He said, 'I can cover it up. No one will know.' "

Kate got away. Twelve years later, she did not.

On Sept. 29, 2005, police discovered the bludgeoned bodies of Katherine "Kate" Hanson-Tsao, 31, along with her husband, Jimmy, 34, in their upscale Aurora home.

Terrance Hanson, 57, and his wife, Mary, 55, also were found slain there. The elder couple was shot in their bed in Naperville, where son Eric also lived, then taken to Kate's home five miles away.

On Friday, Chiu-Ter Tsao recalled how he rushed into Jimmy's White Eagle home after police forced open the door; he didn't even recognize his younger brother. Tsao also described a heartbreaking dream.

"Jimmy couldn't understand why his body was hurting and he slowly began disappearing," Tsao wrote in his victim-impact statement. "In the dream, Jimmy and I were both so scared. I held Jimmy so tight and begged him not to go, but he eventually disappeared in my arms.

"Unlike that terrible day at the house, in the dream, we did say goodbye. I will never be able to forget about Jimmy. He will always be my little brother and best friend."

Detectives developed Eric Hanson as a suspect within an hour of the grisly discovery. Williams, who lives in Minnesota, identified her brother and said he threatened to kill Kate six weeks earlier if she told their father about more than $80,000 in credit card fraud in their parents' names.

His remaining relatives, including Williams, support the prosecution.

Williams told jurors her sleep is interrupted with questions. She wonders whether they suffered, if her mom knew it was Eric, whether they're in heaven.

"When I think about Eric being responsible, I am reminded of how good my parents were to him," Jennifer Williams said through tears. "My parents did so much for Eric. They loved him, supported him and always tried to help him. They just wanted him to be a good, healthy and productive adult."

Eric Hanson maintains his innocence. His defense team will try to save his life Tuesday when the mitigation phase of the sentencing hearing begins.