Ernest Collins, a 27-year-old man from Rockford, has been found guilty of the execution-style murder of Michael Armendariz, a resident of Naperville, in January 2018, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. This verdict followed a four-day DuPage County jury trial, resulting in Collins's conviction for first-degree murder.
By a Snapchat message, 26-year-old Cassandra Green lured Armendariz out of his apartment. Unbeknownst to him, Collins was hiding in Green's SUV and shot Armendariz twice in the back of the head. This information was reported by Fox 32 Chicago.
Subsequently, Collins and Green transported Armendariz's body to Candice Jones's home, Green's mother. There, the body was hidden in a garbage can, later moved to a nearby vacant house where it was discovered months on. The criminals also used Armendariz's apartment key to burglarize his apartment after his death.
Armendariz had been reported missing on January 18, 2018, and found later that year. It was the Naperville and Chicago police departments' combined effort that led to the case resolution, according to the Chicago Tribune. Ernest Collins and Cassandra Green were arrested in Rockford on February 4, 2019, and Candice Jones was taken into custody in Chicago two days later.
Collins is now facing the prospect of a lifetime in prison with his next court appearance slated for November 29. Green and Jones, awaiting their trials for the same charges of murder and armed robbery, are to appear in court on October 16 and 19 respectively.
Testimonies revealed that the culprits had planned and failed at multiple attempts to rob Armendariz, a disturbing pattern that came to light during Green's 2019 police confession, as Chicago Tribune rpeots.
"This senseless murder left Michael's family and friends with just his memory," said DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin. "While nothing can bring Michael back to those who loved him, perhaps today's guilty verdicts will bring some measure of solace knowing the man responsible for his murder will be held accountable" details Fox 32 Chicago.
