A man who repeatedly bragged about killing a Carpentersville man in a gang shooting has been convicted of first-degree murder, according to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Jesus Lechuga, 38, of Belvidere, was found guilty in the death of José Covarrubias, whom he lured to a window and then shot in the head, prosecutors said.
Evidence presented over the four-day trial laid out Covarrubias’ actions on March 1, 2004, when he went to his rival gang member’s home on Chippewa Circle in Carpentersville about midnight and and knocked on the victim’s bedroom window, a news release said.
When Covarrubias looked out, Lechuga used a .357 Magnum to shoot him once in the head through the glass. He then went to his gang leader’s home to take credit for the murder, the release said.
“Others present overheard Lechuga claim responsibility for the fatal shooting,” the release said. “Lechuga bragged about the fatal shooting at least 21 times during the next two years.”
Lechuga is being held in the Kane County jail after his $2 million bond was revoked.
Lechuga’s next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, when he could be sentenced to between 45 years and life in prison, including a mandatory 25-year enhancement for firing the gun that resulted in Covarrubias’ death, the release said.
When he was charged in 2010 for Covarrubias’ murder, Lechuga was serving an 18-year prison sentence for an aggravated battery with a firearm conviction in Boone County.