The two young men and two young women charged with strangling two friends to death and then enjoying a night together without thought for the corpses in the house appeared in court for the first time with lawyers this afternoon.
Judge Roger Rickmon kept the bond for the four—Joshua Miner, 24, Adam Landerman, 19, Bethany McKee, 18, and Alisa Massaro, 18—at $10 million. The four appeared by video broadcast from the Will County jail. Landerman was the only one to speak beyond acknowledging they could hear and understand Judge Rickmon. Landerman told the judge he did not have a lawyer and was informed that he was being represented by the public defender.
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Miner, Landerman, McKee and Massaro allegedly lured Eric Glover and Terrance Rankins, both 22, into Massaro's 1121 N. Hickory St. home and then strangled them to death. They planned to dismember Glover and Rankins, police said.
Cops were reportedly tipped off that there were bodies in Massaro's home. When they went to investigate, they saw the tip was solid, and also found Miner, Massaro and Landerman in the house playing video games with the corpses of Glover and Rankins nearby, police said.
After killing Rankins and Glover, said Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton, Miner, Massaro, Landerman and McKee "continued the party atmosphere."
Detectives from the Joliet Police Department investigated the killings and arrested Miner, McKee, Massaro and Landerman, who is the son of Joliet police Sgt. Julie Larson.
No details of the killings were provided during this afternoon's bond hearing. Attorney George Lenard filed an appearance to represent Massaro and Charles Bretz filed for McKee. Public Defender Eric Berg took the cases of Landerman and Miner for his office.
After the hearing, one of Rankins' friends cried out about the senselessness of the killings.
"He just didn't deserve it," said the friend, Martin Williams. "Not him or Eric deserved it."
Williams said he was friends with Rankins throughout high school and also knew Glover.
"I just don't understand this whole situation," said Williams, who claims he and the group he was with were stopped from praying in the courthouse hallway.
"It hurt my heart," he said, adding, "They would not let us pray, bro."
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said he will prosecute the case himself.
"This is my home," Glasgow said. "My children live here."
Glasgow also cautioned against vigilante justice as he stood outside the Will County Courthouse, saying, "The proper place for prosecution and punishment is right here."
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We ALL have 24 hours in a day. What we "choose" to do with that time is what defines us more than anything else. We have the power to "create" good choices... or bad. But with all the crap on TV these days I think we should ALL hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
What really matters in this case is two young men were killed and viciously. For what reason? LET GET TO THE CASE AT HAND AND PERSECUTE THE PEOPLE TO THE FULLIEST EXTEND OF THE LAW!!!!!
Anybody want to sign the online petition to make an exception to the Illinois Death Penalty?