2 Charged In Slayings Of Youth Football Coaches In Harvey
MARKHAM (STMW) -- Two people -- a man and a woman -- have been charged with murdering two pee-wee football league coaches earlier this month in the coaches' south suburban Harvey home.
Gene Lewis, 31, of Blue Island, and Carris Cook, 24, of Harvey, were charged with the April 20 murders and attempted robbery of Harvey Colts coaches Frank Brassel, 50, and Echford Cooper, 45, Harvey Police Dept. spokeswoman Sandra Alvarado said.
Lewis and Cook each face two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted armed robbery, Alvarado said.
Both appeared in bond court in Markham Saturday morning and were ordered held on $5 million bond, Alvarado said.
Harvey police continue to look for two more persons of interest, Alvarado said -- a 35-year-old man and a 22-year-old female, both known to frequent the Harvey and Dolton areas.
Coaches Brassel and Echford were found inside their home at 15112 S. Myrtle Ave. in Harvey, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. An autopsy determined Cooper died of a gunshot wound to the face and Brassel died of multiple gunshot wounds. Both deaths were ruled homicides.
Cooper, a diabetic, was an amputee who used a wheelchair, said his sister-in-law Karen Carter. He had two boys, 13 and 17, and a 20-year-old daughter with his wife, Stephanie Cooper.
"They were separated, but they were trying to get back together," Carter said. "He was a very good father. I hope they find out who did this."
