|
John J. Haley, 31, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery in the death of 62-year-old Du Doan, who was fishing by himself from a sidewalk at the harbor early Saturday.
Chicago police Lt. Anthony Riccio said Haley broke away from a group and shoved Doan in the back. Doan, who could not swim, quickly drowned.
Haley had mentioned to friends "that the fishermen looked hot and needed to go for a swim," Riccio said.
Cook County Judge Israel Desierto set Haley's bail at $1.5 million on Wednesday.
"We believe the evidence will show my client did not push or intend to hurt this individual in this matter," said Haley's attorney, Marc Gottreich.
Doan, who was Vietnamese, probably was not the victim of a hate crime, police said after questioning the suspect and witnesses. Officials initially said there was a "strong possibility" hate was a motive because Doan, another man who was confronted by the same group earlier that morning and a man who was pushed into the water July 31 all were Asian or had Asian features.
"Motive was, in fact, senseless violence," Riccio said. "It was just erratic behavior on the part of our offender just to target a little old man who was fishing by himself."
Haley also was charged with aggravated battery in a July attack involving a man pushed into the water but swam to shore. He did not report the incident until he heard about Doan's death, police said.
[Associated Press; by Don Babwin]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed. |
