Man indicted in Wheaton slaying

Nearly 10 years after a suspected drug dealer was gunned down outside his Wheaton townhouse, a DuPage County grand jury has indicted a felon on charges related to the brazen crime.

Raymond E. Winters, 42, is facing six counts of first-degree murder.

He is accused of opening fire on 32-year-old Aldis L. Tucker late on July 28, 1999, in the 1200 block of Reading Court hours after the victim had been questioned by local and federal authorities about possible drug trafficking.

Winters, formerly of Michigan City, Ind., was arrested earlier this month on the same day he was due to be paroled after serving half of a 10-year prison term for an unrelated vehicular hijacking case in Cook County.

Police arrested two other men years ago as part of the narcotics investigation, but the murder probe grew cold despite hundreds of leads and the offer of a reward. Authorities said an informant's tip sparked a renewed investigation, which led to Winters' recent arrest.

In court records, DuPage County prosecutors accused Winters of killing Tucker in a "cold, calculated manner" with premeditation. They said he may be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

"In this case, the proof and the presumption is great that the defendant has committed a capital-murder offense," prosecutor Paul Marchese said in court records. "The defendant poses a real and present threat to the physical safety of others."

The grand jury indicted Winters Tuesday, according to court records released Wednesday. His criminal history includes five prior prison stints for drug, gun and aggravated vehicular hijacking offenses, dating back to 1992.

Winters, who is being held without bond in jail, is due back in court May 11 before DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis.