Friday, August 6, 2010

Steger, IL: Steger man accused of killing wife in 2009 crime spree

August 6, 2010 2:14 PM | No Comments
Bail has been set at $5 million for a Steger man accused of murdering his wife at their south suburban home in December -- the same day he allegedly shot his father and fatally shot an ex-girlfriend.

James D. Amison, 38, of the 300 block of West 35th Street, was formally charged in Will County Court Thursday with murder in the death of his wife, Tashika Smith. He has been in Cook County Jail since the December crime spree on murder, attempted murder and attempted armed robbery charges, which occurred in Cook, authorities said. Smith was killed in the Will County portion of Steger.

Amison allegedly killed Smith after dinner on Dec. 12 because he believed she was having an affair with his father. Steger police say he strangled her while her 15- and 5-year-old daughters were in the next room. Smith's body was discovered the next day.

Later that evening, Amison went to his father's home in Maywood and allegedly shot the 53-year-old man in the neck, paralyzing him. Amison then went to ex-girlfriend Stephanie Reed's South Side home, kicked in the door and fatally shot her, authorities said.

The violent spree ended around 2 a.m. Dec. 13 when Amison went to a strip club in the 12000 block of South Doty Avenue and demanded money from customers and employees before firing his gun. He was arrested soon after.

-- Dennis Sullivan

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