Dice-game killer asks judge for mercy

The gunman in a slaying at a Carpentersville dice game begged a Kane County judge Thursday for mercy, asking to be sent to prison instead of death row.

Michael J. Calabrese, in a brief, emotional statement, cited his childhood in a gang-infested Elgin neighborhood and a home life plagued by drugs, sex and violence.

"I've made bad choices in my life … I've got to get a handle on my anger," Calabrese said at the end of a four-day sentencing hearing. "I doubt anyone in this courtroom was brought up like I was."

The 28-year-old later broke down with emotion and was unable to continue, leaving it to one of his attorneys to finish reading a short letter asking Judge Philip DiMarzio to spare his life.

Calabrese was convicted in late October of first-degree murder in the May 1, 2005, death of 25-year-old Edmund Edwards in the parking lot of the Fox View apartments.

Prosecutors are seeking a death sentence for the Wauconda man, while his lawyers maintain Calabrese is a victim of years of nightmarish physical and mental abuse.

Calabrese grew up in the Elgin-area's worst neighborhoods, raised by gang-bangers who introduced him to a lifestyle of sex and drugs, booze and violence, defense attorney Paul De Luca said.

Experts this week also testified Calabrese has a bipolar disorder and other personality problems caused by multiple head injuries.

"By 14, judge, his personality was shaped and he was too far gone," said De Luca, who asked DiMarzio to dole out the minimum 45-year sentence.

Edwards, of Chicago Ridge, was among a group of men shooting dice outside the Fox View complex. Calabrese also gambled that night but left after he lost his money, police have said.

But he soon returned to the game with a revolver and attempted to rob Edwards, the winner that night. Instead of handing over his cash, Edwards ran and was shot in the back, police said.

In seeking the death penalty, prosecutors highlighted Calabrese's criminal past that dates to when he was 14 and a history of failed attempts at rehabilitation.

"He's an angry young man with a bent for criminal conduct," prosecutor Bill Engerman said.

DiMarzio is scheduled to sentence Calabrese this afternoon.

Calabrese is eligible for the death penalty in part because the killing took place during the attempted robbery. Although Illinois has moratorium on executions, inmates still can be sent to death row.