COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — An Austin man is being held without bail after being charged with first degree murder in connection with a 2011 homicide.
Prosecutors said Melvin Hoskins, 25, shot and killed Edward Jackson because Hoskins had a beef with Jackson's cousin.
About 5:15 a.m. on June 19, 2011, Jackson was standing with a group of friends in the 5700 block of West Potomac Avenue discussing his birthday party when Hoskins and two other men approached him.
One of the men with Hoskins told Jackson they had a problem with his cousin and then threatened Jackson, according to Assistant State's Attorney Heather Kent.
But Jackson told Hoskins and the two men he didn't want any trouble and "said goodbye and walked away from the group," Kent said.
The man who threatened Jackson then put a gun in Hoskins' hand. Hoskins followed Jackson and then allegedly shot him several times in his back, Kent said.
Prosecutors said several saw the shooting, and the next day, Hoskins admitted to one witness that he shot Jackson.
When the witness asked why, Hoskins allegedly said he killed Jackson because he could not catch his cousin.
Prosecutors told Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. that Hoskins has three felony convictions on his record, including a 2011 conviction for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon for which Hoskins was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Panarese ordered Hoskins held without bail.
