 |
| Demetry Smirnov, suspect in the murder of Jitka Vesel. |
While the death penalty opponents are celebrating Pat Quinn’s decision to abolish capital punishment in Illinois, supporters of the death penalty are fury with rage over that decision. Some claim that when there is no death penalty, innocent people will not be put to death. But bear in mind, more innocents’ lives might be lost.
This killer must have whispered to himself, “I murdered her and I know I that don’t need to go to the gurney for a lethal injection.”
Let us remember the victim and not this scumbag!
Read on this news and discover a new consequence for abolishing the death penalty….
State's attorney: Suspect researched Illinois death penalty before committing alleged murder
By Staff reports
Posted Apr 14, 2011 @ 06:17 PM
Last update Apr 15, 2011 @ 02:42 PM
Oak Brook, IL —
Dmitry Smirnov, 20, of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Jitka Vesel, a 36-year-old Westmont woman.
Vesel, of 1406 Carriage Lane, was shot multiple times in the head and body at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of an Oak Brook office building, 122 W. 22nd Street, according to a press release.
The gunman had already fled the area before police officers arrived after receiving a report of an unconcious woman found in a parking lot at 9:41 p.m. Vesel was later pronounced dead on the scene by the DuPage County Coroner's Office.
Smirnov turned himself in to Romeoville police several hours after the Vesel was reportedly shot, Robert Berlin, DuPage County State's attorney, said in a press conference today. A 40-caliber gun was also recovered by police.
Vesel reportedly met Smirnov on an online dating site and had a brief relationship in 2008. Vesel later got back together with an old boyfriend, Berlin said. At that time, Smirnov moved back to Canada then began harassing Vesel through email and cell phone, according to Berlin.
In 2009, Vesel filed a police report against Sminov because he had threatened her, but did not file an order of protection, Berlin said.
After going to a previous address where Vesel no longer lived, Smirnov used an Internet website, People.com, to locate Vesel's current residence, Berlin said. There, he reportedly placed a tracking device on her car.
In a statement videotaped by police, Smirnov indicated that he researched whether Illinois had a death penalty, Berlin said. Illinois has recently abolished the death penalty.
"He was aware that the death penalty had recently been abolished. So he knew then he could go through with his plan," Berlin said. "Clearly, it's premeditated."
Police are currently investigating video surveillance of the incident, Berlin said, though he could not say if Smirnov was found on the surveillance tape.
Berlin could not confirm published reports that say Vesel worked at CSA Fraternal Life, which has an office where Vesel was shot. A person who answered the phone at the organization, formerly the Czechoslovak Society of America, declined comment Thursday afternoon.
Smirnov has been transported to DuPage County Jail and appeared at a bond hearing this afternoon where a judge denied Smirnov bail. His next court date is scheduled for May 9.
Vesel lived in an apartment with a man named Jason Valentine, whose name is listed on the mailbox of the apartment unit. Two neighbors of the complex said the two lived together, and had moved in a few months ago.
There was no answer at the apartment doorbell this afternoon.
One of the neighbors, Martin Farrell, said both Vesel and the man she lived with, Valentine, were very vice people who always wanted to help out.
"Just last week, she helped my up the stairs with some bags I was carrying," Farrell said. "I have trouble getting up the stairs, and she offered to help out. I was sad when I heard about what happened to her."
The apartment landlord, who lives along the 400 block of Tracey Court in Westmont, could not be reached for comment, as no one answered the door at their residence.
There was no answer at the apartment doorbell this afternoon.
One of the neighbors, Martin Farrell, said both Vesel and the man she lived with, Valentine, were very vice people who always wanted to help out.
"Just last week, she helped my up the stairs with some bags I was carrying," Farrell said. "I have trouble getting up the stairs, and she offered to help out. I was sad when I heard about what happened to her."
The apartment landlord, who lives along the 400 block of Tracey Court in Westmont, could not be reached for comment, as no one answered the door at their residence.
Check back with www.mysuburbanlife.com as more information becomes available.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cops: Killer made sure death penalty ended
Published: April 15, 2011 at 3:12 PM
OAK BROOK, Ill., April 15 (UPI) -- A Canadian man made sure Illinois had abolished its death penalty before killing a former girlfriend, authorities allege.
A judge Thursday denied bail for Demetry Smirnov, 20, of Surrey, British Columbia, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jitka Vesel, 36, of Westmont Ill., The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported.
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Smirnov shot Vesel several times as she left her office in Oak Brook Wednesday night, reloaded and kept firing.
Prosecutors said Smirnov, who identified himself as a Canadian soldier, met Vesel online in 2008 and moved to the Chicago area to be with her.
He returned to Canada after Vesel reunited with a former boyfriend but kept calling and e-mailing her. In 2009, Vesel reported he had threatened her.
Smirnov returned to the Chicago area last week and glued a tracking device to the bottom of the victim's car, Berlin said.
Smirnov fled the crime scene but eventually surrendered at the Romeoville Police Department and gave a taped confession, prosecutors said.
He could face a life term if convicted.
Berlin said before Smirnov returned to Illinois, the suspect had researched the death penalty and learned it had been abolished recently. The prosecutor called the killing a "premeditated … gut-wrenching, senseless crime."
A judge Thursday denied bail for Demetry Smirnov, 20, of Surrey, British Columbia, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jitka Vesel, 36, of Westmont Ill., The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported.
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Smirnov shot Vesel several times as she left her office in Oak Brook Wednesday night, reloaded and kept firing.
Prosecutors said Smirnov, who identified himself as a Canadian soldier, met Vesel online in 2008 and moved to the Chicago area to be with her.
He returned to Canada after Vesel reunited with a former boyfriend but kept calling and e-mailing her. In 2009, Vesel reported he had threatened her.
Smirnov returned to the Chicago area last week and glued a tracking device to the bottom of the victim's car, Berlin said.
Smirnov fled the crime scene but eventually surrendered at the Romeoville Police Department and gave a taped confession, prosecutors said.
He could face a life term if convicted.
Berlin said before Smirnov returned to Illinois, the suspect had researched the death penalty and learned it had been abolished recently. The prosecutor called the killing a "premeditated … gut-wrenching, senseless crime."
© 2011 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Dillard renews call for death penalty
By Dan Cassidy and Steve Schering Sun-Times Media Apr 15, 2011 5:39PM
State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale)
State Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, has renewed his call for the reinstatement of the death penalty following the stalking and killing of a woman in DuPage County.
Dillard’s district includes Naperville.
The senator pointed to a story that broke Thursday about a 20-year-old Canadian man who methodically stalked and tracked a Westmont woman before killing her Wednesday night in Oak Brook — even stopping to reload his gun and continue shooting during the attack.
DuPage County Judge Michael Wolfe denied bail Thursday for Dmitry Smirnov of Surrey, British Columbia, who is charged with the first-degree murder of Jitka Vesel, 36.
In court Thursday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said Smirnov met Vesel in 2008 through an Internet dating site. After they met, Smirnov moved to the United States.
But the relationship soured, and Smirnov moved back to Canada. Since 2009, Berlin said, he has been harassing Vesel. She filed a complaint that year with the Berwyn Police Department over harassing e-mail and telephone calls, Berlin said.
About two weeks ago, Smirnov decided to leave Canada, returning to the United States, Berlin said. According to Berlin, Smirnov had done research to determine if Illinois had the death penalty, and decided to go through with Vesel’s murder when he discovered it does not.
This point aggravated Dillard.
“The proves the fallacy of the idea that the death penalty is not a deterrent,” Dillard said.
In March, Gov. Pat Quinn abolished the death penalty in Illinois. Dillard said the state needs to reinstate the death penalty for the “worst of the worst,” which he said were serial killers, murderers of children and people who murder witnesses to crimes.
Dillard specifically mentioned the case of Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville as a reason for the death penalty to be revived. In July 2009, Brian Dugan pleaded guilty to fatally bludgeoning Jeanine on Feb. 25, 1983, after kidnapping her from her home on a day she stayed home sick from school. A jury later sentenced him to death.
This came years after two other men were convicted of Nicarico’s murder, then later cleared. These wrongful convictions became a significant part of the argument in whether to repeal the death penalty.
Dugan already was serving life prison terms for the 1984 murder of Donna Schnorr of Geneva and the 1985 slaying of 7-year-old Melissa Ackerman of Somonauk.
Dillard said criminals like Dugan are a reason why the death penalty needs to be brought back in Illinois.
The Smirnov case puts the death penalty issue back front and center, Dillard said.
Smirnov arrived in Chicago last weekend, using the Internet to locate Vesel’s home, Berlin said. He then used a GPS tracking device, which he glued to Vesel’s car, to track her movements via the Internet, Berlin said.
He was waiting for Vesel when she went to her car in the parking lot of the Windsor Office Park in Oak Brook, Wednesday night.
“He ran up to her, he began shooting, he reloaded and shot her some more,” Berlin said. “She fell on the ground and he kept shooting. He shot her numerous times.”
Smirnov then fled the scene, calling Chicago police to tell them he had killed a woman in Oak Brook, Berlin said. Chicago police contacted Oak Brook authorities, and Smirnov turned himself in to a Romeoville police officer.
Eleven shell casings were recovered at the scene, Berlin said, and investigators found the gun in Smirnov’s car.
Smirnov could face up to life in prison.
His next scheduled court date is May 9.
Lawmakers take aim at death penalty ban after Oak Brook murder
Posted Apr 15, 2011 @ 11:10 AM
Last update Apr 15, 2011 @ 11:12 AM
Downers Grove, IL —
Some state lawmakers are putting focus on a bill to reinstate capital punishment after police say a Canadian man researched Illinois’ death penalty before shooting a Westmont woman this week.
Dmitry Smirnov, 20, of Surrey, British Columbia, was charged with first-degree murder Thursday in the death of 36-year-old Jitka Vesel. Police say Smirnov told them he looked up whether Illinois had a death penalty beforehand.
Last month, Illinois became the 16th state to ban the death penalty. Soon after Gov. Pat Quinn signed the law, opposing state lawmakers began a push to reinstate some capital crimes.
One bill, sponsored by state Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-46th, of Elmhurst, would put the reinstatement issue on a statewide ballot in the 2012 election. Another bill would put the the death penalty back on the table for the killing of police officers, trial witnesses and in instances of serial killers or heinous murders of children.
Although under that bill the death penalty would not apply if Smirnov is convicted, state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-24th, of Hinsdale, said this week’s incident “proves the fallacy of the idea that the death penalty is not a deterrent.”
“I continue, along with Rep. Dennis Reboletti, to push forward legislation to reinstate the death penalty for the worst of the worst in Illinios,” Dillard said Friday morning in a conference call with reporters.
Police and prosecutors say Smirnov shot Vesel multiple times in the head and body about 9 p.m.
Wednesday in the parking lot of an Oak Brook office building, 122 W. 22nd St. Vesel was found about 40 minutes later and pronounced dead at the scene. Smirnov turned himself in to Romeoville police several hours later, and police recovered a 40-caliber gun.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said Vesel and Smirnov had met on a dating site and had a brief relationship in 2008, but it had soured.
In 2009, she filed a police report saying Smirnov threatened her, but did not file an order of protection, Berlin said.
In a statement videotaped by police, Smirnov indicated that he researched whether Illinois had a death penalty, Berlin said.
“He was aware that the death penalty had recently been abolished. So he knew then he could go through with his plan,” Berlin said during a Thursday press conference. “Clearly, it’s premeditated.”
No comments:
Post a Comment