Murder Charges Filed, Death Of Commander

Midlothian, Illinois - A grand jury added murder and other felony charges against a man accused of robbing a south suburban Midlothian VFW commander outside a bank last month.

Jerry Brown, 27, of 1140 W. 104th Place, originally was charged with robbery following a Nov. 16 attack of a man in front of A.J. Smith Federal Bank at 14757 S. Cicero Ave. in Midlothian.

On Tuesday, the grand jury at the Cook County district court indicted Brown on charges of aggravated battery, aggravated battery of a senior citizen and aggravated battery on a public way in addition to murder, Midlothian police Chief Vince Schavone said.

Brown is accused of being one of two men who robbed Bill Burtner, 65, of about $1,700. The other robber involved is still at large, police said.

Burtner was in the process of depositing money from Midlothian VFW Post 2580 and from a fundraiser for World War II veterans when he was attacked from behind.

One man attacked Burtner while a second man, who police say they believe was Brown, drove the get away car. The car crashed not far from the bank and Brown was apprehended a short while afterward, police said.

Burtner died Nov. 18 and the Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.

On Thursday, Mary Burtner said she was happy with the indictment.

"I know this case will probably take a few years to be done. Hopefully he [Brown] will get a lengthy prison stay," she said.