Chicago prosecutors drop murder charges against mother, son accused in hot-dog stand killing

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Prosecutors in Chicago dismissed murder charges brought against a 35-year-old mother and her 14-year-old son in the shooting death at a hot dog stand after "emerging evidence" came to light.

The woman and her son had been charged after investigators said she told the teenager to shoot Jeremy Brown, 32, at a Chicago hot dog stand this month. But in a hearing late Monday, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office dismissed the charges.

"Based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence, today the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has moved to dismiss the charges," prosecutors said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases. "

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A 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son were initially charged with homicide after authorities say she instructed the teen to shoot a man at a hot dog stand in Chicago, but prosecutors later dropped the charges citing "emerging evidence." (Credit: Chicago Police Department)
A 35-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son were initially charged with homicide after authorities say she instructed the teen to shoot a man at a hot dog stand in Chicago, but prosecutors later dropped the charges citing "emerging evidence." (Credit: Chicago Police Department)

An argument, a signal and shots fired

Surveillance video released by police shows the pair arrived at Maxwell Street Express in the city's South Side in a blue Lincoln Nautilus at about 11 p.m.

The victim was in the vestibule of the fast food restaurant with the teen's mother when he was shot, police said.

According to court documents obtained by local outlet WGN, the mother entered the business to get food while her son waited in the Lincoln outside. Shortly after, Brown entered the restaurant and an argument broke out between them, court documents show. Police said the mother was texting her son from inside the store, and he entered the restaurant during the argument.

At some point inside the business, police wrote in court papers, the victim punched the mother in the head multiple times. Shortly after, police said, the woman's son pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots.

Brown suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

It was not immediately known what the woman and Brown argued over.

Jail records showed the woman was in custody with a $3 million bond Monday morning. But by Monday evening, her name was not listed on the jail record roster.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago hot dog stand murder charges dropped against mother, teen son