Statements in Chicago teen's killing to be used at trial
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A man accused of fatally shooting a Chicago honors student claims a gang leader had pressured him to open fire.
The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/1XMR39b ) reports that recently released transcripts of police interviews with Micheail Ward offer a glimpse into the tactics used by officers while investigating the death of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton. She died a week after performing at President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
Transcripts show officers tried to use the national attention garnered by Pendleton's death to convince Ward to speak following his arrest.
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Ward eventually told police that he felt pressured by co-defendant and gang leader Kenneth Williams to open fire into the park and that he "didn't have a choice."
His lawyers argued that Ward was psychologically coerced, but a judge ruled Tuesday that his statements can be used at trial.
Ward and Williams have pleaded not guilty.
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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com