We had a brutal beating in our town this year. Over a woman... This article just came out. Although the guy is an American citizen he spoke through an interpreter in court. Aren't they supposed to have a command of English before they become citizens?? If he was born in the US of A this is even scarier...




Waukegan man pleads guilty to beating death

December 15, 2007
By ART PETERSON apeterson@scn1.com

A Waukegan man charged with first-degree murder has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Jose Guadarrama, 24, and Jose Alejandro Sepulveda, 29, were charged with the July 4 beating death of Ricardo Osario.

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Guadarrama

Osario, 21, died from the beating. Guadarrama and Sepulveda were charged with first-degree murder.

The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Family Dollar store at Washington and Jackson streets in Waukegan.

Guadarrama pleaded guilty Friday in Lake County Circuit Court to a reduced charge of second-degree murder in exchange for truthful testimony against Sepulveda.

Judge Victoria Rossetti accepted the open plea and set a sentencing status date for Jan. 25, after Sepulveda's trial.

Guadarrama is facing a sentence of four to 20 years in prison with the possibility of day-for-day credit for good behavior. Probation is also an option.

Sepulveda, if convicted, would face a mandatory prison sentence of 20 to 60 years with no possibility of early release.

Guadarrama, a U.S. citizen but speaking through an interpreter, admitted to twice punching Osario in the face.

Prosecutor Ari Fisz said Sepulveda hit Osario in the face with a tree branch that was the size of a baseball bat. Osario died less than an hour later at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.

The plea was recommended by Fisz and defense attorney Barry Boches.

Fisz said Guadarrama's testimony against Sepulveda must be consistent with his videotaped statements to Waukegan police.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article