CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Copyright 1995 Chicago Tribune Company
May 25, 1995
Section: CHICAGOLAND
GUNMAN CONVICTED OF CABRINI KILLINGS
A man who opened fire during a gang-related quarrel at the Cabrini-Green public housing development nearly two years ago has been convicted in Cook County Circuit Court of the murders of two teens.
The murders, in the early hours of June 25, 1993, were the first at the housing complex since 7-year-old Dantrell Davis was killed by a sniper in October 1992.
J.T. Sparkman, 20, of 1121 N. Larrabee St., was convicted Monday of two counts of first-degree murder, and Assistant State’s Attorneys Anita Alvarez and James Sanford said they would seek the death penalty at sentencing, set for June 30 before Judge Fred Suria Jr.
A dispute over gang turf had erupted in front of 502 W. Oak St., and Sparkman opened fire with a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, Alvarez said. Derrick Russell, 18, and Shawn Knowles, 14, who lived in the Oak Street building, were each hit six times, she said.
Copyright © 1995 Chicago Tribune Company