Shortly after graduating from Ohio’s Central State University in the spring, DeJuan Pratt moved to Chicago and enrolled in a masters program at Roosevelt University to further hone the “bright future” his mother said awaited him.
The 24-year-old had just texted his family three days ago to discuss a job they helped line up, Pratt’s mother said Wednesday from Columbus, Ohio. But work was the last thing on his mind, authorities said. Pratt was living it up in Las Vegas where Chicago Police said he used the credit cards of the new roommates he brutally murdered in West Ridge less than a month before.
“Chillin” at the pool at the Venetian Hotel, the dreadlocked Pratt allegedly boasted on his Facebook page Sunday. Pratt, who Cook County prosecutors said booked his Sin City flight with his victims’ stolen credit cards, was arrested for the double murder when he landed at O’Hare early Monday morning.
“I’m just floored,” Pratt’s mother said in disbelief when told Cook County Judge Edward Harmening ordered Pratt held without bail Wednesday for allegedly slaying former Kankakee County prosecutor Gary Brown, 64, and Chun Xiao Lee, 48.
“He has no history of violence. It doesn’t make sense. I’m wondering if someone set him up.” Read more…
