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A man has been charged with the murder of 19-year-old University of Illinois at Chicagohonors student Ruth George.
George’s family had reported her missing and UIC police were able to locate her in the garage after tracking her cell phone.
At a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors alleged that Thurman attacked George after she ignored his repeated catcalls,theChicago Tribunereports.
In court, Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said Thurman became “angry he was being ignored” after catcalling and trying to talk to George. He then allegedly followed her to her car, where he grabbed her neck, put her in a chokehold and threw her to the ground, causing her to hit her head on the pavement. He then allegedly threw George into the back of her car, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious,theTribunereports.
On Sunday, investigators located Thurman and took him into custody, where he later allegedly confessed to the “horrific crime,” Kevin Booker, UIC Chief of Police, said in the news release.
Thurman is not affiliated with the university.
George was a sophomore honors student majoring in kinesiology and had hoped to be a health professional. One student told a local news station George may have been out late studying on the night of her death.
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Georgewas from Naperville, Illinois,where she graduated from Naperville Central High School in 2018, according to her Facebook page.
“Ruth was such a sweet girl and had the biggest and brightest smile,” the high school’s gymnasticscoach Christina Tardysaid, according to Fox 32 Chicago. “We loved having her as a member of the NCHS gymnastics team and she was so fun to watch compete, especially on the floor exercise. She was a great teammate and we are going to miss her dearly.”
Thurman has a criminal record, according to police. In December, he was released from prison after serving two years behind bars for armed robbery. He was sentenced to six years, but was released early and was out on parole at the time of George’s death.
At Tuesday’s court hearing, a judge denied him bond, according toCBS Chicago.
His attorney information was not available Tuesday. His next court date is set for December 16.
source: people.com
