The Chicago Tribune recently published a shocking story about a former landlord who was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of seven people in a 2010 fire he intentionally started. The victims, ranging in age from 3 days old to 20 years, were all residents of an apartment building owned by Lawrence Myers, who orchestrated the blaze to collect insurance money.
Cook County Judge Carol Kipperman expressed her deep horror during the sentencing, stating she would have imposed the death penalty if Illinois law still allowed it. “Everything about this trial was absolutely terrible,†she said at the Maywood courthouse. “His motive was purely financial. This case left me completely speechless.â€
Myers, now 64, showed no emotion when the sentence was announced. He had been found guilty by a jury in November and was handed seven murder convictions — one for each victim. His co-conspirator, Marion “Andre†Comier, 51, is still on trial for his role in setting the fire.
The deadly fire occurred on Valentine’s Day in 2010. According to prosecutors, Myers hired Comier to set the fire using gasoline on a back porch of the four-flat building. The flames quickly spread, trapping several tenants on the second floor. All the victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation.
The victims included Byron Reed, 20; Sallie Gist, 19; their sons Rashon, 3, and Brian, just 3 days old; Sallie’s twins, Elijah and Elisha, both 16; and family friend Tiera Davidson, 18. A total of seven lives were lost in the tragedy.
Interestingly, two days after the fire, three individuals came forward to Cicero police, reporting that they had overheard Myers and Comier discussing plans to burn down the building. This led to the investigation that ultimately resulted in Myers’ conviction.
This case highlights the devastating consequences of greed and the importance of vigilance in preventing such tragedies. It also serves as a grim reminder of how a single act of malice can destroy multiple lives in an instant.
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