Aug 15, 2008 6:38 pm US/Central
Man Denies Killing Roommate With Clock Radio
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
A West Side man accused of beating his nursing home roommate to death with a clock radio denied the accusations Thursday.
Solomon Owasanoye, 50, of the 4800 block of West Cermak Road, pleaded not guilty Thursday to eight counts of first-degree murder in the death of 78-year-old Ivory Jackson, according to Andy Conklin, spokesman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
Police said Jackson was the victim of a May 30 aggravated battery at All Faith Pavilion in the 3500 block of South Giles Avenue.
Owasanoye, who suffers from dementia, was Jackson's roommate, according to Simonton. Staff members said they initially saw Owasanoye sitting outside his room with blood on his shoes and hands, she said, citing court records.
Staff members came into the room and found Jackson barely responsive and bleeding from his face and head. A bloody clock radio was found on the floor next to Jackson's bed, Simonton said, citing court records.
Jackson was hospitalized and remained in a coma until his death on June 23, according to court records. A doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital said his injuries were consistent with being struck with a clock radio.
The All Faith Pavilion (formerly William L. Dawson Nursing Home) on Giles has a history of public health violations, including at least two deaths linked to neglect, according to a release from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Owasanoye is scheduled to appear for a status hearing on Sept. 10, Conklin said.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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