The Chicago Tribune recently published an updated report on the murder trial of Lawrence Myers, who was found guilty in connection with a deadly fire that occurred in Cicero in 2010. The incident, which took place on Valentine’s Day, resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including four children.
On Monday, a jury convicted Myers, a 64-year-old landlord from Cicero, of seven counts of murder. Prosecutors alleged that he intentionally set the fire at his four-flat building located at 3034 S. 48th Court in an attempt to collect $250,000 in insurance money and relocate to West Virginia. To carry out his plan, Myers allegedly hired his maintenance worker, Marion “Andre†Comier, 51, who is currently awaiting trial on similar charges.
According to court records, Comier used gasoline to ignite the fire on a back porch, which quickly spread through the building. The only staircase leading to the second floor became a death trap for several residents. Among the victims were Byron Reed, 20, Sallie Gist, 19, their sons Rayshawn and Brian, both aged three, and Sallie's twin siblings Elijah and Elisha, who were 16 years old. Tiera Davidson, an 18-year-old family friend, also lost her life. All died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation.
The jury reached its verdict in just 90 minutes, handing down one murder charge for each of the seven victims. Shortly after the fire, three individuals came forward to police, reporting that they had overheard Myers and Comier discussing plans to burn down the building.
Cicero Police Detective Joseph Melone stated that investigators uncovered evidence of a conspiracy between Myers and Comier to commit arson for financial gain. A cooperating witness wearing a wire recorded multiple conversations that significantly aided the investigation.
In one of the secretly recorded conversations, Myers expressed regret over the timing of the fire, saying, “I didn’t want any of this to happen.†He reportedly told Comier that he had instructed him to set the fire in the afternoon before the children returned from school, promising him $3,000 and emphasizing that no one should be harmed.
Following the fire, Myers filed an insurance claim for the destroyed property. After his arrest, he confessed to his involvement in the crime, citing financial difficulties as his motivation.
Myers is scheduled for sentencing on December 16, but he is expected to receive a mandatory life sentence. His case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic loss of life and the calculated nature of the crime.
Thanks, Dan.
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