CHICAGO (AP) — A judge on Friday ordered a Chicago man held without bond in the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, her mother and her sister after the girlfriend refused to cook him breakfast and braid his hair.
Authorities say John Matthews fled to Iowa after the June 22 shooting of Shonta Harris, 24, her mother, Frances Neal, 56, and her sister, Jasmine Neal, 27. He was arrested Thursday in Burlington, Iowa, after being identified as a murder suspect.
Prosecutors told Cook County Circuit Judge Charles Beach II that they have a videotaped statement from the girlfriend that points to Matthews, 25, as the shooter. They also say Matthews’ own grandmother told authorities that he was the killer. Beach ordered Matthews held without bail on three counts of first-degree murder.
Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said after Harris told Matthews she wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t cook breakfast or braid his hair, an enraged Matthews punched her. His grandmother tried to defuse the situation by taking Harris outside. But Matthews followed them and was yelling at Harris as she called her mother for help, Murphy said. When Harris’ mother and sister arrived the arguing continued, with Matthews allegedly pulling a gun and shooting all three.
Frances and Jasmine Neal were pronounced dead at the scene. Harris died Sept. 5.
Murphy said Matthews and Harris dated for two years, and had a son, who was 4 months old at the time of the shootings.
Assistant Public Defender Rocio Armendariz told the judge Matthews has no previous criminal history.
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