Man Charged In 1984 Highland Park Murder
HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - Highland Park police say they've cracked a nearly 30-year-old cold case.
William Lyles Jr., 60, was in court Tuesday for a preliminary exam, where he was bound over for trial on charges of first degree premeditated murder.
Lyles is charged in the 1984 stabbing death of Andrew Melvin Weathers.
Highland Park Police Detective Paul Thomas said the murder occurred at a home on Louise Street where Weathers lived with Lyle's ex-girlfriend.
"(Lyles) hoped to kill her. In fact, he hoped to kill the whole family. Late one night their home was broken into -- the fuse box cut so that the power was out ... and an individual is stabbed to death," Thomas said.
The woman's daughter, Melissa Kuntz, was 13 years old at the time of the murder and has been doing what she can to help police.
Thomas talked to reporters a little bit about what led to the arrest.
"There were several things that made us aware. We did some record checking -- a police source, let's call it -- and a witness provided information that she knew over the years," Thomas said. "Based on a hunch we went by an address where we thought we'd find his parents. When we went by the address we observed what we believed to be him sitting on the front porch."
Thomas said Lyles was taken into custody without incident.
Kuntz was pleased to hear about the arrest, but said she doubts she'll ever have complete closure.
"I think I have a lot of emotional scars as a result of the horrible experiences and things that I had to deal with, so it will always be there," she said.
The next court date is set for next week.
