Indictments Returned in March Murder of Aurora Teenager

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that the DuPage County Grand Jury returned indictments today against Laurence E. Lovejoy, 38 (d.o.b. 3/30/66) for the March 3, 2004 Criminal Sexual Assault and the March 27, 2004 First Degree Murder of his sixteen (16) year old step daughter, Erin Justice.  The Grand Jury indictments allege in nine (9) counts that Erin’s death was caused by the defendant beating, cutting, poisoning and drowning her.  The Grand Jury also found that Lovejoy killed Erin in the course of forcible felonies, Sexual Assault and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.