FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FILED AGAINST WEST CHICAGO MAN IN DEATH OF INFANT SON

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that First Degree Murder charges have been filed against twenty five year-old Gustavo Torres-Medel (d.o.b. 7/20/1983) of 237 W. Brown Street, West Chicago, in connection with the death of his three and one half month-old son Gustavo Torres-Medel, Jr. Gustavo was pronounced dead on April 27, 2009 after succumbing to injuries about his head and body.

It is alleged that in the morning hours of April 27, Torres-Medel beat the infant about the head when the infant began crying and would not drink form his bottle.  It is further alleged that the defendant also grabbed the infant under his arms, squeezed and shook him and then threw him into a child carrier.  An investigation led by the DuPage County Children’s Center with the assistance of the West Chicago Police Department and the Major Crimes Task Force led to the charges against Torres-Medel.

“We have alleged that yesterday morning, the life of three and one half month-old Gustavo Torres-Medel, Jr. came to a violent end at the hands of his own father,” commented Birkett.  “All cases involving a child victim are difficult.  This case however, is particularly emotional because it involves the death of a helpless infant.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at the DuPage County Children’s Center, the West Chicago Police Department and the Major Crimes Task Force for their work on this emotional case.”        

First Degree Murder carries a minimum sentence of 20-60 years or potentially life in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).  Torres-Medel may be eligible for the death penalty if it is determined that the infant’s death was the result of exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty.

Torres-Medel appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Kathryn Creswell ordered he be held without bond.  His next court appearance is scheduled for May 19, 2009.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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.