A Chicago man has admitted guilt in connection with the tragic shooting of a pregnant woman on the city’s South Side, sparking outrage from the victim’s family over the reduced charges.
Following the court proceedings on Wednesday, relatives of the deceased expressed their anger and disappointment after learning that the charges against the accused had been downgraded.
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In a February 2024 incident, Itzel Camarena, aged 24 and six months pregnant, was discovered between two trash cans in the Chatham neighborhood. The Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed that she succumbed to a gunshot wound to her face.
Dontrell Anderson faced charges of murder and concealing a homicide in connection with Camarena’s death.
However, on Wednesday, Anderson entered a guilty plea to lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter and one count of concealing a homicide.
On Wednesday, Anderson pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and one count of concealing a homicide.
He was sentenced to 19 years, to be served at 50%. He was awarded credit for a total of 916 days.
Camarena’s mother says the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office told her Anderson’s Miranda rights were violated, and that’s why he’s getting lesser charges.
Investigators said Anderson strangled and fatally shot Camarena in her face as she visited him at his family.
Prosecutors said Anderson shot Camarena on a couch, adding that they have surveillance video of him dragging her body, which was wrapped in a white sheet, out to the alley. Police also recovered a bloody couch cushion, but never said if any weapons were found.
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