FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FILED AGAINST ADDISON TEENS
WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that two counts each of First Degree Murder have been filed against Matthew C. Cruz, 15 (d.o.b. 08/02/1992) and Jhony Aragon, 15 (d.o.b. 07/28/1992), both of Addison, in connection with the shooting death of 14 year-old Francisco J. Baiza. The murder took place yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of the Green Meadows Shopping Center located at 110 W. Lake Street in Addison.
It is alleged that on August 21st, at approximately 3:50 p.m., Biaza was walking in the parking lot of the Green Meadows Shopping Center with a friend when he was approached by both defendants. It is further alleged that after a brief verbal altercation, both Cruz and Aragon pulled and discharged handguns striking Biaza three times.
An investigation by the Addison Police Department led to the apprehension of both Cruz and Aragon who were taken into custody a short time later without incident.
“Once again, gang violence has claimed another young life,” remarked Birkett. “Young people and their parents have got to get the message that if you join a gang, you are bound for one of two destinations: the graveyard or the penitentiary. A fourteen year-old boy is dead, a family grieves and two fifteen year-old boys face lengthy prison terms all because of senseless gang violence.”
First Degree Murder carries a minimum sentence of 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).
Both defendants, who will be tried as adults, are scheduled to appear in Bond Court tomorrow morning.
“I would like to thank the Addison Police Department for their quick apprehension of Mr. Cruz and Mr. Aragon. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Joe Ruggiero and Paul Marchese for their extended efforts on this case.” Birkett added.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendants’ 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.
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