Authorities have accused a North Lawndale man of fatally taking pictures his ex-girlfriend final 12 months and setting her home on fireplace to hide her loss of life.
Joshua Mims, 37, faces prices of homicide and aggravated arson for the Could 2023 loss of life of Racquel Adams. Decide Susana Ortiz ordered Mims held in custody at his first look Thursday on the Leighton Prison Court docket Constructing.
Adams, 32, had damaged up with Mims shortly earlier than he shot her within the head whereas retrieving his belongings from her residence within the 6400 block of South Damen Avenue, based on Assistant State’s Lawyer Anne McCord Rogers.
In accordance with McCord Rogers, Mims threatened to interrupt all of Adam’s televisions in a Could 12, 2023 cellphone name whereas Adams was at a buddy’s home, prompting Adams to return to her West Englewood residence.
Someday later, a witness heard Adams inform Mims to cease throwing issues at her earlier than the decision disconnected. Adams made two extra cellphone calls that night time and Mims was captured on surveillance video leaving Adams’ home at about 10 p.m. the identical night time, McCord Rogers stated.
Mims and his brother allegedly returned to the house round midnight and left after a couple of minutes. Police later noticed smoke coming from a window of Adams’ residence and located her useless inside, whereas a hearth raged within the residence. The fireplace appeared to have originated in 4 separate rooms of the sufferer’s residence, McCord Rogers stated.
Mims had a historical past of violence in opposition to his intimate companions, prosecutors stated. Mims was arrested and charged with battering Adams with closed fists and a wine bottle and pulling her hair in April 2022, court docket data present, however the case was dismissed.
Fugitive trackers arrested Mims Tuesday throughout a site visitors cease within the 900 block of South Kedzie Avenue. He’s scheduled to return to court docket on Dec. 3.
