Crime & Safety

Jailhouse Romance: Court Supervision

A letter supposedly sent from a Plainfield woman jailed while she awaits trial on a murder charge to the mother of a man already convicted of the same killing professes her love for him.

By Joseph Hosey

The lawyer for a man convicted of a cold-blooded Plainfield murder says he obtained a letter from the killer's girlfriend in which she blames herself for the slaying.

The letter supposedly sent from Gabriela Escutia, 24, to the mother of Ricardo Gutierrez, also 24, goes on to say how much she loves him.

Escutia and Gutierrez are both locked up in the Will County jail. Escutia is awaiting trial on a murder charge. Gutierrez has already been found guilty but his attorneys, Jeff Tomczak and Paul Napolski, are working to get him a new trial.

Tomczak said during a hearing this week that he obtained the letter supposedly sent from Escutia to Gutierrez's mother. He provided copies to the court and to prosecutors.

Eescutia and Gutierrez allegedly shot 18-year-old Javier Barrios to death in a field off Route 59 in October 2007.

Here's what else happened in court during the week that just ended:

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