Trial set for man charged in Ill. teen's beating

[January 10, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The murder trial of a young man charged in the beating death of a Chicago honor student is set to get under way.

Opening statements are scheduled for Monday for Silvonus Shannon, one of several teens charged in the 2009 death of 16-year-old Derrion Albert.

The first defendant in the case, a 15-year-old boy, was convicted last month in juvenile court.

Shannon is the first defendant being tried as an adult.

Prosecutors say Shannon and the others were part of a mob that descended on Albert as he made his way home from school in September 2009.

On a video captured by a cell phone camera, Albert is seen being punched, slammed over the head with large boards, kicked and finally stomped on his head.

[Associated Press]

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