A judge denied bond today for the DuPage County man arrested and accused of killing his ex-wife outside an Oak Brook hotel on New Year's Day.
Jerry "Shorty" Hudson turned himself in Tuesday evening at about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday and was cooperative with officers after a days-long manhunt.
Prosecutors allege Hudson shot Melissa Bridgewater because she rejected his Christmas gift. Her body was found in her car outside a Doubletree Hotel at about 6 a.m. on New Year's Day. Shortly afterward, the silver 2008 Hyundai Tiburon rented to Hudson was photographed at a toll plaza at 22nd Street and Spring Road in Oak Brook, within a mile of where Bridgewater was killed.
According to a male witness who was with Bridgewater at the hotel, Hudson called Bridgewater and then said on speakerphone "you with that nigger again?"
At the bond hearing Wednesday, State's Attorney Joe Birkett said Hudson was a calculated killer who left suicide notes saying his ex "took his manhood."
"This case reinforces the notion that domestic violence is not spontaneous, these are not crimes of passion. Some are, but the majority of cases, the offender, the abuser, is contemplating his conduct, he's planning for that moment when he or she is going to explode," Birkett said.
Hudson's defense attorney, John Lyke, said the statements made against his client in court were "totally circumstantial."
"There was no eyewitnesses there to say they saw him do anything. In fact, it was just a car that was allegedly rented by him near the vicinity. That proves nothing to me," Lyke said to reporters outside the courthouse.
He said Hudson is "saddened" by the events.
"That was a woman who he shared a lot of time with. He was married to her. He loved her. He's grieving just like a lot of other people are grieving," Lyke said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb 5th.
