COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Calumet Heights man fatally shot his longtime friend Sunday when the friend wouldn't stop touching the man's Cadillac, prosecutors said.
John Watley, 58, had spent the day drinking with Anthony Strong, 48, several relatives and neighbors near Watley's home in the 9200 block of South Harper Avenue, Assistant State's Attorney Enrique Abraham said during a bond hearing Tuesday.
At one point, several people were gathered near Watley's car, a Cadillac, which was parked in front of his house, prosecutors said. Watley became angry that people were touching his car, so he went inside, grabbed a machete and told everyone to get away from the vehicle, Abraham said.
Most people scattered, according to prosecutors, but Strong stayed near the car, drumming his fingers on it. Watley went back inside, Abraham said, and returned with a gun. He allegedly asked Strong to stop touching the car, but Strong refused.
Strong's wife, who was part of the larger group, heard Watley say, "Motherf-----, you keep messing with me," before pulling a gun and shooting Strong once in the chest, prosecutors said.
Strong's wife ran to her husband, and Watley allegedly said, "Let that motherf----- die," Abraham said.
Watley's nephew, who witnessed the shooting, took the gun, removed the magazine and chambered bullets, threw the gun to the ground and brought everything else back in Watley's house, prosecutors said.
When police arrived, Watley admitted to shooting Strong, Abraham said. Watley was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He was previously convicted of auto theft in 1997, but has no other criminal record.
Strong was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:06 p.m. Sunday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
On Tuesday, Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Watley held without bail.
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