Judge to decide North Chicago man's fate Thursday morning
Undra Bailey testified Wednesday in his murder trial that he feared for his life in 2016 when he shot John Collins, his friend of more than 20 years, in a Waukegan alley.
In their closing arguments, however, prosecutors said Wednesday that Bailey, 33, of North Chicago, lured Collins to the alley so he could shoot him without drawing attention.
"As one would squash a pest or remove a pest, Bailey decided to remove John Collins," Assistant State's Attorney Stella Day said.
Lake County Judge Victoria A. Rossetti said she would review the facts and rule in the bench trial on Thursday morning.
Day showed surveillance video that captured the confrontation between Bailey and Collins in October of 2016. Collins, who was later determined to have a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit, pushed Bailey, who then took out a handgun, pointed it sideways at Collins and fired.
After being struck in the chest, Collins turned around and began walking toward his car, where his girlfriend and son were. The video shows Bailey shooting a second time and missing.
The first shot led to Collins' death, according to medical officials. Day said the only reason Bailey didn't fire more than twice was because his gun jammed.
Bailey was arrested two days after the shooting.
Bailey testified he was trying to drive away from Collins, but Collins was pursuing him closely through the alley. Bailey said he was armed when he went to confront Collins because he feared Collins was going to shoot him.
Bailey's defense attorneys argued Collins was an aggressive, drunken bully who couldn't keep his hands to himself.
They called several witnesses to testify about times Collins had been drunk and violent toward people he knew, including the mothers of his children and Bailey.