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Seven arrested in van-crash beatings

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) - A 16-year-old boy and six men ranging in age up to 47 were charged with first-degree murder Saturday in the Chicago mob beating and slaying of two men whose van skidded out of control and hurt three women.

Authorities said they were considering seeking the death penalty against the seven, who were charged with two counts apiece of first-degree murder and several counts each of mob action.

Because of the brutality of the crime and multiple victims, "this could be a capital case," said Jerry Lawrence, a spokesman for the Cook County State Attorney's office. "They could get life (in prison) or the death penalty."

While Illinois Gov. George Ryan has declared a moratorium on executions in the state to allow for a review of the administration of the death penalty, state prosecutors still are able to seek the death sentence, Lawrence said.

The seven suspects used bricks, stones and their fists on Tuesday to beat to death Jack Moore, 62, and Anthony Stuckey, 49, after a van in which they were hauling furniture ran a stop sign, skidded over a curb and pinned three women to the front porch of a South Side building, police said.

Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard has called the crime "a simple, senseless double-homicide committed by a bunch of cowardly thugs." Police said at least six of those charged were gang members.

Moore, who was driving the van, was legally drunk at the time, Donegan said. He and Stuckey lived in the neighborhood.

One of the three women, 26-year-old Shani Lawrence, remained hospitalized in critical condition Saturday, while the other two have been released from the hospital.

Those charged included 16-year-old Antonio Fort, who was charged as an adult. The others were: Lamont Motes, 20; Robert Tucker, 20; James Ousley, 28; Ricky Lawson, 43; Roosevelt Lawrence, 43 and Henry Lawrence, 47, authorities said.

Roosevelt Lawrence and Henry Lawrence are related to two of the women injured by the van, the State Attorney's office spokesman said.