Karla Lee said in an exclusive interview with NBC Chicago she has not been able to sleep ever since police announced the alleged “executioner” of her son Tyshawn has been formally charged in the 9-year-old’s Nov. 2 death.
Dwright Boone-Doty, 22, planned to torture Tyshawn by cutting off his fingers and ears but ultimately lured him into an alley and shot the child numerous times at close range, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez said at the news conference Tuesday.
After several horrific details were released, Karla Lee said there is one thing she is thankful for.
“It was real sad, especially hearing the details of how they originally planned that,” Karla Lee said. “I’m just glad that it didn’t happen that way. I’m glad they didn’t torture my baby. I’m real glad about that.”
CPD identified executioner in the Tyshawn Lee murder case. Press conf. w/ @SAAnitaAlvarez @TomDart @ChicagoFBI tomorrow at 1230 w details
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) March 8, 2016
CPD followup investigation revealed Tyshawn was targeted, lured & executed. Media avail will be at HQ tomorrow @ 1230pm.
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) March 8, 2016
Karla Lee said she knew Tuesday evening police would be announcing the murder charge before it made headlines, but it didn’t change the fact that Tyshawn is gone.
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“I’m gonna have to go on for the rest of my life without my child,” Karla Lee said. “A lot of people say I’m so strong but they are on the outside looking in. I might appear strong but there are times where I’m breaking down every day.”
Boone-Doty was charged with the murders of the fourth-grader at Joplin Elementary School, as well as Brianna Jenkins, as part of what officials said was a gang war. A judge on Tuesday ordered Boone-Doty held without bail. He and two others accused in the case, including Corey Morgan, had planned to go on a killing spree after Morgan's brother, Tracy, was killed in a shooting on Oct. 13, 2015, officials said.
In total, Boone-Doty has been charged with five felony offenses in connection with three separate cases. He was already in custody on unrelated gun charges, according to county records. The records did not indicate if Boone-Doty had an attorney.
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"I must tell you today I don’t think I've ever been more disgusted and appalled by such inhumanity," Alvarez said. "This intentional murder of Tyshawn Lee is among the worst that I have ever seen in my more than 30 years as a prosecutor."
The city saw at least 468 murders last year, but Tyshawn’s killing gained national attention and spotlighted the city’s violence epidemic. As Father Michael Pfleger said at the child's funeral attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, "Tyshawn you touched the United States of America."
“My son in a better place now that’s all I can really say,” Karla Lee said. “He is free.”
