CHICAGO — The man accused of killing a 15-year-old boy in April wanted revenge after the teen's friends robbed him, prosecutors said Thursday.
Kevin Culverson, 20, was charged this week with first-degree murder in the April 22 slaying of 15-year-old Cornelius German.
According to prosecutors and relatives, German was playing dice with friends the night he was killed. Sometime around 9:40 p.m., the teen left the game — which was held at a friend's house in the 5000 block of South Evans Avenue — and headed outside to meet his parents.
As German walked from the backdoor toward the front of the house, Culverson — who was waiting next door — reached through a fence and shot German in the back, prosecutors said.
German tried to run away, but collapsed in a nearby lot, where he was pronounced dead at 12:50 a.m. on April 23.
Prosecutors claimed Culverson was seeking revenge for a robbery that occurred a few weeks earlier. Prosecutors said some of German's friends allegedly approached Culverson about selling weed and stole "personal property."
There was no indication German was involved in the robbery, prosecutors said, but Culverson had told several people he was going to "get" the people who stole from him.
Culverson's prior convictions include felony possession of marijuana in a school zone, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle and misdemeanor criminal trespassing. He's missed two court appearances and has served time in boot camp and prison.
On Thursday, Culverson was ordered held in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
After German was killed, his family described the 15-year-old as a "freaking comedian" who was "smart as hell" and loved to rap. He could be rambunctious at times, but was also loving and cheerful.
"It's ridiculous that we're going through this," said Kameisha Andrews, German's aunt. "I'm holding up because I have to for my sister's sake, but on the inside, I'm hurting like hell."
Reporters Erin Meyer and Quinn Ford contributed.
