Chicago, IL: Prosecutor: Dad stabbed son, killed girlfriend in jealous rage

December 2, 2009 6:41 PM | 7 Comments | UPDATED STORY

A man who allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death and critically wounded his infant son in a jealous rage was denied bail today.

McKerry Coleman, 19, of the 7700 block of South Marshfield Avenue, is charged with the murder of Tanisha Edwards, 18, and the attempted murder of his 2-month-old son, who remains in critical condition at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, authorities said.

On Monday evening, Coleman was with his son and Edwards in her apartment in the 6700 block of South Evans Avenue when they began to argue over her decision to break up with him, Assistant State's Atty. Kevin Deboni told Circuit Judge Jackie Portman at Coleman's bond hearing.


Coleman was holding his son when "he became enraged because he thought [Edwards] was talking to another man" on the telephone, Deboni said. "At that point the defendant put the baby on the kitchen table and stabbed (him) in the side of the neck with a knife."

Coleman dropped the child to the floor and attacked Edwards, choking her and throwing her to the floor before stabbing her, Deboni said. Edward's brothers ran from the apartment and enlisted the help of several neighbors who called 911.

When officers arrived, Coleman was still stabbing Edwards, Deboni said. When they ordered him to stop, Coleman picked up a large serving fork and threatened them before fleeing on foot.

Edwards died at Stroger Hospital that night, and Coleman turned himself into police the following day. Deboni said Coleman confessed to killing his girlfriend and cutting his son's throat.

By Wednesday evening, more than 300 people had joined a Facebook group titled "In Loving Memory of Tanisha Edwards," where they expressed their shock at her death, shared stories about her and promised to pray for her.

Tiara Crenshaw, 19, one of the group members, said in an interview that she had been friends with Edwards since she was in fifth grade and the Edwards was in fourth grade. She didn't Coleman well, but said he graduated from Hirsch Metropolitan High School last year.

Crenshaw said Edwards, whom friends called "Nene," was a senior at Hirsch and was running for prom queen. She had many friends who were drawn to her because of her personality.

"She was always smiling," Crenshaw said. "She'll always be remembered."

-- Matthew Walberg and Alejandra Cancino