Nov 3, 2005 8:10 am US/Central
Death Penalty Sought For Accused Father
Jerry Hobbs Charged With Killing His Daughter, Her Friend
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) ―
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against a father accused in the Mother's Day stabbing deaths of his young daughter and her best friend.
Jerry Hobbs III is charged with killing his 8-year-old daughter, Laura Hobbs, and 9-year-old Krystal Tobias on May 8 at park near their homes in Zion.
Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller said at a Wednesday court hearing that his office will seek the death penalty for the first time since 1996.
Police videotaped Hobbs as he confessed to beating and stabbing the girls in a fit of rage, Waller said.
"That is part of our evidence," he said.
But Hobbs' lawyer said his client maintains his innocence.
"Now that we have had the opportunity to review the evidence in this case, it is clear that Jerry Hobbs is unquestionably innocent of the murders," Public Defender David Brodsky said.
Prosecutors reviewed Hobbs' background and met with the girls' families before deciding to seek the death penalty. Hobbs was released from a Texas prison three weeks before the slayings after finishing a two-year prison sentence for aggravated assault.
The death-penalty announcement was little consolation to Krystal's mother, Marina Christina Tobias.
"Me and my family are living in pain every single day," said Tobias, choking back tears. "We cry every single day. I think about my daughter. I don't spend my time thinking about her murderer."
(© 2005 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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