Story posted Thursday, August 27, 2009
2006 Murder Case Goes To Trial In October
The first degree murder case against Preston J. Cooper, 24, of 35264 Ravine Lane, Ingleside, will go to a jury trial beginning on Oct. 19.
The judge set the date at his latest court appearance on Aug. 19. Cooper is charged in connection with the alleged 2006 killing of Jesse M. Beskow in Palatine. Another defendant in the case, Jacqueline M. Gallagher, 20, of 2172 N. Prairie Trail, Round Lake Hts., was sentenced to three years in prison after she pled guilty to a charge of concealment of a homicidal death in a Rolling Meadows courtroom on Mar. 26.
During a party in the 900 block of East Wilmette Road in Palatine on July 25, 2006, Cooper, Gallagher's boyfriend, allegedly shot and killed Beskow of Fox Lake. People at the party allegedly removed Beskow's clothing, bathed his body, wrapped him in a blanket, and carried him out to a vehicle.
Gallagher and Cooper's father later allegedly drove Beskow's body to a wetlands area in Chicago near the Calumet Incinerator where they left him in 12-foot weeds. On Sept. 22 of 2008, investigators learned of the alleged murder and located Beskow's remains a few days later. Cooper was taken into custody on Sept. 30, 2008. He remains held with no bond in Cook County Jail.
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