Trial begins in fatal Des Plaines stabbing

Cook County prosecutors painted Des Plaines resident Ashur Hidou, charged with first-degree murder in the 2008 stabbing death of 21-year-old Israel Moreno, as a spurned boyfriend and a self-styled "protector" of his would-be girlfriend's family, in their opening statements Monday in a Skokie courtroom.

Hidou, who was 17 at the time of the stabbing, had a crush on then 18-year-old Vanessa Claudio, a high school friend who had recently broken up with Moreno - known to friends and family as Kiki - but still kept in touch with him, prosecutors said.

Hidou was at Claudio's house shortly after 2 a.m. on June 14, 2008, when Moreno came by and started calling for her, said Assistant State's Attorney Rick Cenar. This angered the teenager, who prosecutors say left Claudio's house, followed the victim to the intersection of Laurel Avenue and Washington Street in Des Plaines and killed Moreno by stabbing him eight times in the torso.

Defense attorney David Carrabotta said his client, a recent Maine West High School graduate who hoped to become a commercial painter, acted in self-defense against a gang member "known for his violent and illegal actions in the community," who had been charged with battery and criminal trespassing following an incident that occurred one week earlier.

Defense attorneys say after Moreno and several members of the Claudio family got into a verbal altercation outside the building, Moreno tried to force his way inside, knocking down Vanessa Claudio's mother in the process. Additionally, Carrabotta claimed Moreno was on a recruiting mission that targeted Claudio's brother, whom Hidou considered family.

"Death before dishonor," said Carrabotta, reciting what he claimed was the motto of Moreno's gang, "you can't say no."

Prosecuters say Hidou was a member of a rival gang.

Claudio testified that Hidou and the victim "never got along, never talked" but that she never saw them fight. She also testified that she never saw Moreno with a gun or a knife, but she did see him carry a bat once.

Moreno's mother America Miramontes and several other family members and friends sobbed quietly as eyewitness Gregory Latson described Hidou's attack on Moreno, whom Latson described as his closest friend.

Latson, 28, testified that he, Moreno and some other people were hanging out at Moreno's home that Friday night into Saturday morning. As the gathering broke up about 2 a.m., Moreno suggested they take a walk and Latson accompanied him.

When Latson realized they were near Claudio's apartment, after Moreno had called to her, he suggested they leave.

"I knew Kiki had some issues, so I told him 'let's go,'" Latson said.

As they walked away, Latson said he noticed someone following them down the street. Moreno said "it's just Ashur" and disregarded him, said Latson who was walking slightly ahead of Moreno. Upon hearing Moreno address Hidou, Latson said he turned and saw Hidou pull out a large knife in his right hand. When Moreno swung at Hidou, Hidou stabbed under his left arm, Latson said.

The two men fell, with Moreno landing on top of Hidou who continued stabbing him, said Latson. He further testified that he rushed to his friend, grabbed Hidou's wrist to stop him and kneed the assailant in the head. By that time, Vanessa Claudio and her family had arrived, Latson said, adding that he released Hidou when Claudio's father told him he had the defendant restrained.

Hidou eventually fled the scene. He was arrested in Lincolnwood the following day.

Moreno was "bleeding profusely," said Latson. "I knew he was hurt."

Before testimony began, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Larry G. Axelrood warned family members and friends of both Hidou and Moreno to maintain decorum.

"Everyone here is deeply, emotionally invested in this," he said. He admonished them again after opposing family members exchanged words in the hall following an afternoon break in testimony.

Testimony resumes Tuesday in Skokie.