15-year-old boy charged with murder in connection with overpass death
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<p align="justify">A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder Friday for allegedly throwing a concrete patio block from the Broadway Street overpass last week onto a car on Interstate 74, killing the passenger inside.
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<p align="justify">Rakiem Campbell of 717 W. Armstrong Ave. was ordered held on $1 million bond on the charges of first-degree murder and vehicular endangerment in connection with July 14 death of Katrina S. Kelley.
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<p align="justify">The teen, shackled at the wrists and legs and wearing the blue shirt and gray sweatpants of the Juvenile Detention Center, shuffled into the third floor courtroom at the Peoria County Courthouse. He spoke little and didn't look at his parents, who were sitting in the front row. After the brief hearing, he shuffled back quietly into the holding cells.
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<p align="justify">Assistant State's Attorney Steve Pattelli said Campbell was headed home from a party early July 14 when he and a 12-year-old boy allegedly decided to pick up two concrete patio blocks, walk 150 feet to the Broadway Street bridge over Interstate 74 and wait for a car to pass by.
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<p align="justify">The two boys positioned themselves to face the westbound lanes and waited. It was then, Pattelli alleged, that Campbell heaved one of the 15-pound blocks over a fence along the bridge and struck the car Kelley was riding inside.
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<p align="justify">Kelley, 26, 5020 N. Bradford Woods Circle, Apt. F, suffered massive chest injuries and died several hours later at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
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<p align="justify">The charges state Campbell's actions caused a "strong probability of death or great bodily harm to motorists on Interstate 74" before specifically mentioning Kelley.
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<p align="justify">The prosecutor said police narrowed their search down to the two boys after an extensive investigation. When questioned by police, Campbell allegedly admitted throwing the block. The other boy also corroborated that statement. The younger boy has not been charged in connection with Kelley's death.
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<p align="justify">Earlier, Illinois State Police announced the arrest of a 14-year-old boy whom they dubbed a "person of interest." The teen was not charged in connection with Kelley's death but, rather, with throwing a rock off the University Street overpass in May. He has been charged with violating his juvenile probation for that incident.
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<p align="justify">Master Sgt. Jeffrey L. Smith, who is in the investigations division of the State Police, said the 14-year-old boy is not connected with Kelley's death.
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<p align="justify">Pattelli sought the high bond for Campbell because of the nature of the charge and because Campbell also was on juvenile probation at the time. His case was automatically transferred from juvenile court to adult court because of the murder charge.
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<p align="justify">Public defender Sean Donuhue asked that Campbell be allowed to return to court Monday for a review hearing, when his bond could be reconsidered and another attorney might enter his appearance.
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<p align="justify">If convicted, Campbell faces 20 to 60 years in prison.
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<p align="justify">A preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 19 though it is likely a grand jury will hear the case before then.
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<p align="justify">Andy Kravetz can be reached at (309) 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com.
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