Trial of suspect in 2007 murder under way

Aurora police found blood on a Joliet man's work boots the day after they discovered the body of his ex-girlfriend, who had been stabbed more than 50 times, a crime scene investigator testified Monday.

The boots, which belonged to 26-year-old Hezekiah Hamilton, also matched shoe prints left in the apartment where Brenetta Beck, 25, was brutally slain Oct. 30, 2007, Officer David Adams testified.

"It looks consistent with the tread wear on the bottom of the boot," he said.

Hamilton, whose trial began Monday in Kane County, is accused of murdering Beck just 10 days after she gave birth to the estranged couple's second child. Beck's body was found slumped against a toilet and stabbed more than 50 times - including in the face and head - with the two children nearby.

On Monday, defense attorney Ron Haskell sought to downplay the significance of blood on Hamilton's boots, noting police were unable to confirm the blood was human and that no blood was found on the soles.

"It was a really bloody crime scene," he said. "You would expect someone to have blood all over them."

The slaying happened about three months after Hamilton "stormed out" of a contentious court hearing over back child support he owed Beck, said Assistant State's Attorney Marzenia Vandeburgt, who took the stand for the prosecution.

Vandeburgt said Hamilton grew "more and more agitated" during the hearing; he began yelling, then left without the judge's orders.

"He was erratic in the courtroom," she said. "He was combative with the judge. Security was aware of him and his behavior. I was hesitant to go in a conference room with him alone without an escort."

Hio Dong, who lived above Beck's apartment, testified that he heard yelling about 6 a.m., the time of the stabbing.

Candace Sweat, who lived with Hamilton in Joliet at the time of Beck's death, said Hamilton's whereabouts were unaccounted for that morning. She said he left for work about 5 a.m., but later told her he had a problem with his truck and was running late for his job at an Aurora factory.

"I didn't believe him because of the history of lies he had," Sweat said.

Hamilton's bench trial is being heard by Circuit Court Judge Timothy Q. Sheldon and resumes Tuesday.