Autopsies underway on Arlington Heights couple

Arlington Heights police are awaiting autopsy reports today in the deaths of a husband and wife found shot to death in their home Wednesday morning.

Police discovered the bodies of Angelita James, 56, and Roger D. James, 48, about 8:40 a.m. after forcing their way into the residence on East Shady Way when no one responded to the door.

The Cook County Medical Examiners Office said at 11:15 a.m. that the autopsies are underway, and that results are expected around 1:30 p.m.

Arlington Heights Police Sgt. Richard Kappelman said today that it looks like the couple died near the same time, but any estimate of time of death would be set by the Medical Examiner's office. He said Wednesday that evidence collected so far was “pointing” to the shootings being a murder-suicide.

Angelita James' son met police at the residence, telling officers his mother had not shown up for work for the past two days and couldn't be reached. The vehicles of both Angelita and Roger James were parked outside the home, police said.

Inside, police found the couple in a bedroom, dead from gunshot wounds. A firearm was found inside the home, but police declined to say whether they believe it was the weapon used in the shootings.

Police said they believe the tragedy was domestic and there is no danger to the community. e.

Roger James was a veteran of the Gulf War and commander of the Des Plaines American Legion Post 36, said his friend and past commander Phil Campbell. He was last seen at the Legion office on Monday.

“He was a little bit out of it,” Campbell said. “He was taking some heavy medication. He was suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).”

James also recently had dental surgery and was taking medication for the pain, Campbell said, adding he was worried James might have been mixing medications.

“I was concerned enough that I called his wife about it,” he said, adding he told Angelita that if she felt threatened, she could come stay with his family.

Roger James was involved with the Legion's Des Plaines chapter for about seven years and had served six months of his one-year term as commander. Angelita was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Campbell said.

“He was very dedicated to veterans groups and helping other service members that came back from the war,” Campbell said. “We'll probably have our own memorial for him in conjunction with the family.”

James also was a member of the Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992.

Rick Peters, a neighbor and friend of the couple, said he used to go fishing and watch Chicago Blackhawks games with Roger James. He said Angelita James worked as a security guard, but he didn't know where.

“Roger was very involved with the veterans, doing what he could to help them out. It was very important to him. And his wife was great — a really nice woman,” Peters said.

But Peters said Roger James would occasionally display a hot temper.

“Generally, he was a great guy, but there were times when he would just lose it,” Peters said. “If some kids did something he didn't like, he could really rail about it.”

Other neighbors described the couple as friendly and easy to talk to. Some said they heard the sounds of fighting coming from the James' home late Saturday night.

“It sounded bad, then I heard a boom that scared me to death,” said Chileshe Sakala, a Rolling Meadows High School student who lives in the unit adjacent to the James'.

Everyone expressed shock over the shootings.

Kappelman said Thursday police do not believe the noise on Saturday was directly related to the deaths.

“It's hard to believe, really,” said Rick Peters' son, Tyler, also a student at Rolling Meadows High School. “I knew these people. It's too close to home.”

Arlington Heights police are being assisted by members of the Major Case Assistance Team's Forensic Unit.

Roger James had a criminal history, marked by several arrests between 1999 and 2006, according to Cook County court records.

In 2002, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to domestic battery causing bodily harm, records show. He was prohibited from seeing the victim in that case through an order of protection lasting two years.

The following year, a judge set bail at $100,000 after James was arrested on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery and battery. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 55 days in jail.

In 2006, James was sentenced to community service and one year of conditional discharge after pleading guilty to misdemeanor criminal damage to property.

In 1999, James served 30 days in Cook County jail and received probation for misdemeanor domestic battery and battery.

Ÿ Staff writers Deborah Donovan and Kimberly Pohl contributed to this report.