After Three Years Kelli O'Laughlin's Accused Killer Is Going To Trial

Caption: Willow Springs police booking photo for John Wilson Jr., 41, the accused killer of Kelli O’Laughlin, 14, who was found stabbed to death in her Indian Head Park home in October 2011.

A jury was seated Tuesday in the trial of a parolee accused of killing an Indian Park teen in her home in October 2011. Opening arguments are expected to begin today in the Bridgeview courthouse.

John Wilson Jr., 41, of Chicago, is standing trial for the stabbing death of Lyons Township High School freshman Kelli O’Laughlin. Authorities charge that Wilson broke into the girl’s home in the 6300 block of Keokuk Avenue in Indian Head Park by putting a rock in a knit cap and hurling it through the dining room window on Oct. 27, 2011.

After he was confronted by O’Laughlin, who had returned home from school, authorities say Wilson used a butcher knife from a cutlery block in the family’s kitchen to stab her repeatedly in the back, neck and chest. He then dragged her body from the family room into the kitchen, Patch reported.

O’Laughlin’s body was discovered by her mother. Wilson, a parolee with three prior convictions including one for armed robbery, was arrested days later.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said in a press conference at the time of Wilson’s arrest that the girl’s killer stole her cell phone and used it send taunting text messages to her mother.

During pre-trial motions over the last three years, Wilson insisted on representing himself, which led Hynes to admonish the defendant to stop filing motions to delay the trial, reports said.

Wilson has been held without bail in the Cook County Jail awaiting trial.

Jury selection began Tuesday in Cook County Associate Judge John Joseph Hynes’ courtroom in Bridgeview. Wilson reportedly sat quietly next to his public defender, with his feet shackled underneath the table out of sight from prospective jurors, WGN reported.

A “Justice For Kelli Joy O’Laughlin” Facebook page has over 11,000 likes. Supporters of the O’Laughlin family posted photos of a message spelled out in plastic cups in the chain link fence by Bridgeview Elementary School -- “Justice 4 Kelli Joy.”