Alsip man charged in 15-year-old murder case

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Alsip man charged in 15-year-old murder case

September 1, 2010

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Criminal Courts Reporter
An Alsip man has been charged in a 15-year-old far South Side murder, authorities said Wednesday.

Charles Gletten, a married, unemployed truck driver, allegedly shot and killed Gerald Hotchkiss after an argument at a home in the 100 block of West 107th. He was arrested Tuesday and admitted he killed Hotchkiss on Nov. 13, 1995, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Michael Pekara said.



Charles Gletten has been charged in the 15-year-old far South Side murder of Gerald Hotchkiss.

“Now woof that mother------,” Gletten said as he stood over Hotchkiss’ body with a gun, a witness told authorities, Pekara said.

Although the witness, who is now in the Illinois Department of Corrections, had identified Gletten in a photo array in 1995 and told authorities he was the gunman, police looked for Gletten but never issued an arrest warrant, Pekara said.

Asked by Judge James Brown why a warrant wasn’t issued then, Pekara said he didn’t know.

Before the murder, Gletten was asked to leave the home of his next door neighbor’s house. He returned to the home a short time later looking for some property he had left behind inside, Pekara said. Soon, he, Hotchkiss and the occupants of the home began arguing, Pekara said.

Gletten eventually left the house, and Hotchkiss was last seen walking away with someone else.

Then, gunshots rang out, Pekara said. The witness hid behind a car and saw Gletten near Hotchkiss’ body, Pekara said.

Hotchkiss, 30, was shot in the back, arm and leg.

According to a police report, Gletten has three tattoos. He has the Grim Reaper etched on his upper arm. Another tattoo across Gletten’s stomach reads, “F--- the world.”

Judge Brown ordered Gletten held in lieu of $1 million bail.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2...090110.article