AT LEAST THEY WERE NOT TRIVIAL HOMICIDES

by Bob Walsh


At about 5 p.m. on Saturday nine days ago Charles Riley, 16, and Jasean Francis, 17, were in a grocery store in South Chicago buying some candy.  They saw Laroy Battle, 19, also in the store and asked him how tall he was.  They were apparently quite respectable about it and made some mention that they would like to be that tall some day.  Battle is about 6-4.


After they had all left the store Battle walked up behind them and shot them both multiple times in the back.  Both died.  A third teen who was with them beat feet and was not injured.   Nine fired cases were found on the ground.


Battle then walked away.  He was followed for some distance on security cameras and was seen dumping his gat in a trash can.  He was arrested without incident at a nearby motel.  


Battle has a prior for aggravated use of a weapon, for which he was placed on probation.  He is being held without bond on two counts of murder.  A combination of private security footage and members of the community ratting him out led to a quick apprehension.