Monday, May 24, 2010

Charges filed in slaying of Chicago police officer

Two of the three men accused of killing Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV in a botched robbery attempt this week were charged tonight in his death.

Paris McGee, 20, of the 6300 block of South Ada Street and Toyious Taylor, 29, of the 4300 block of South Lamon Avenue each has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery, according to Cook County state's attorney spokeswoman Sally Daly.

mcgeetaylor260cap.jpgA third suspect who remained hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in the robbery hasn't been charged yet, Daly said.

Wortham was killed late Wednesday as four people attempted to rob him of his motorcycle outside of his parents' home in Chatham, according to police. Wortham, who was off duty, and Wortham's father, a retired police sergeant, exchanged gunfire with the suspects.

One of the would-be robbers was killed. He was identified as Brian Floyd, 20. The man in the hospital is Floyd's cousin, authorities have said.

In a news conference late Friday, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis attributed the arrests to police teamwork and community cooperation.

"There's some cases that will break any code of silence," Weis said. "I think the community wanted to solve this case."

Weis said detectives pursued various leads, tracking down over 30 addresses. In the end, McGee turned himself in to police and Taylor was apprehended during a traffic stop.

Weis declined to comment on any details of the ongoing investigation, including a ballistics analysis. (Click HERE for unedited video of the news conference from WGN-TV)

According to court records Taylor pleaded guilty in 2002 to drug charges and was sentenced to six years in prison. More recently, in 2009, he served several days in Cook County Jail for a misdemeanor conviction.

McGee is on probation in a 2009 conviction for weapons charges, records show. There is a current misdemeanor illegal gambling charge pending against him as well.

The two suspects were scheduled to appear in Central Bond Court Saturday.

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