Ill. Police Capture Teen Accused of Fatal Clown-Costume Stabbing
What to Know
- A 15-year-old accused of fatally stabbing a 78-year-old man in East St. Louis while dressed in a clown costume will undergo a mental health evaluation to determine his sanity and fitness to stand trial.
- Prosecutors have filed a juvenile petition alleging first-degree murder in the Aug. 3 killing of John Wesley Allen Sr. and are seeking to have the teen charged as an adult.
- Illinois State Police said surveillance video shows the suspect in a red-and-black clown costume near the crime scene shortly before the attack, and the teen remains in custody.=
By Madison Lammert
Source Belleville News-Democrat
A teenager accused of fatally stabbing a 78-year-old man in East St. Louis while dressed in a clown costume will undergo a mental health evaluation.
This was discussed in a St. Clair County juvenile court proceeding Thursday afternoon. Because the suspect was charged in juvenile court, his name and court records are not public. Illinois State Police previously said he is 15.
A redacted petition for adjudication of wardship provided by the state’s attorney’s office accuses the East St. Louis teen of first degree murder and states he fatally stabbed John Wesley Allen Sr. on Monday, Aug. 3.
The state’s attorney’s office described the document as the “functional equivalent” of a criminal charge and said prosecutors have petitioned the court to charge the minor as an adult.
The court plans to have Dr. Daniel Cuneo, a forensic psychologist, evaluate the teen’s “sanity” and fitness to stand trial.
The teen agreed to remain detained during Thursday’s court proceeding. Chief Public Defender Cathy MacElroy is representing him. She couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said Allen died of multiple stab wounds. East St. Louis Police officers found Allen’s body in a roadway in the area of 7600 State St. around 10 p.m. Monday, according to Illinois State Police.
In a Thursday news release, Illinois State Police said the suspect was wearing a clown costume when he allegedly attacked Allen at a bus stop. The agency further confirmed to the BND that the teen was captured on a nearby home’s surveillance video.
The video, timestamped 9:12 p.m. Monday, shows the suspect approach the house in a red-and-black-striped clown costume with a facial covering that obscured all but his eyes. The teen leans into the camera and whispers something before walking away.
Laura Fleming told the BND she shared the video, which was captured by her parents’ Ring camera at their home, with the police. She said the home is within walking distance to where authorities say Allen was attacked.
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