A Logan Square man, already facing trial for the death of his girlfriend last summer, has now been slapped with first-degree murder charges in a shocking turn of events. Genesis Silva, 34, was charged with the additional count of first-degree murder and one count of murder with a strong probability of death or injury, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Silva, who was initially charged in June for allegedly concealing the homicidal death of Brittany Battaglia, will face a court appearance Friday to respond to the new charges.
Battaglia, 33, was found brutally slain and nearly decapitated, her body stuffed in a duffle bag in Silva's living quarters. Authorities described that the fatal injury was a severe slash across her neck. In a grisly discovery by detectives investigating her disappearance last June, a large tarp, two garbage bags, and various cleaning supplies suggested a meticulous attempt to hide the crime, the WGN-TV reports. Silva was initially charged with a Class 3 felony, but Cook County prosecutors have now escalated the case after further investigation.
Silva's alleged history with the law includes a 2009 conviction for sexual abuse, which led to his status as a registered sex offender and restrictions on weapon possession. Despite this, prosecutors charged him with unlawful use of a weapon, citing a machete and an ice pick found in his possession, the Chicago Sun-Times detailed. With jury selection for his initial charges set to begin, it is unclear how the new allegations will affect the impending trial.
In a separate but related development, Peter Mathes, 37, faced charges in October for also concealing the death of Battaglia. His involvement came to light after Silva made statements in jailhouse calls about Mathes helping clean up the crime scene, as obtained by prosecutors. Additionally, DNA evidence collected at the scene implicated Silva, Mathes, and two others. According to the Sun-Times, Mathes is currently on electronic monitoring while awaiting court proceedings.
Emotional turmoil in Silva's personal communications surfaced with references to his mental health struggles and statements implying both gratitude for and distress caused by Battaglia. “She saved my life” but also “made me go crazy,” Silva said in the recordings referred to by prosecutors, which the defense argued should be inadmissible in the trial. The Judge has yet to rule on whether the jury will hear these portions of the audio.
