Four suspects linked to fatal push from Chicago CTA Red Line train
Prosecutors say a 19-year-old, a teenager and two unidentified men coordinated to push rider Kyle Bickham from a moving train, leading to his death.
Chicago prosecutors disclosed new details in a court hearing about the September 7 death of CTA rider Kyle Bickham. According to police, Bickham was pushed from a moving Red Line train near the 69th Street station while heading home from work. Prosecutor Marilyn Salas said the 19-year-old defendant, Katlar Parchman, acted in concert with three other individuals, and a judge ordered her to remain detained on felony charges that include first-degree murder, aggravated battery and participation in a mob. The state alleges Parchman punched and grabbed Bickham before pulling at his head, and that the suspects opened the train doors by pulling the emergency lever and forced him out.
A public defender for Parchman argued that Bickham was intoxicated, had been touching other riders’ belongings and allegedly spat at the defendant, contending there is no evidence she was the person who pushed him. The defender requested a trial for his client. A 15-year-old girl is also being held on a murder charge, and investigators continue to search for two additional male suspects. The 19-year-old is scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday.