Girl admits to beating witness in murder case

A teenage girl has pleaded guilty to charges she robbed and beat a witness in the murder case of a Chicago police officer and his friend.

Cook County prosecutors say the teen was angry because a friend had spoken to police about Jason Austin, a suspect in the Aug. 13 murders of Officer Robert Soto and Kathryn Romberg. Charges against Austin were dropped because of a lack of credible witnesses.

Assistant State's Attorney Kathleen Kain said Tuesday the 16-year-old and another suspect pushed a witness to the ground, kicked and punched her. They told the girl not to squeal on Austin.

The teenager's relative, 18-year-old Tashianda Howland, pleaded guilty to simple battery last month and is under court supervision.

Soto was off duty when he was shot and killed along with Romberg, a supervisor with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.