Nicole Abusharif

Parties and identities

• Nicole M. Abusharif was an American woman convicted in the murder of Rebecca Klein.
• Rebecca Klein was a 32-year-old woman whose body was found in the trunk of her 1966 Ford Mustang after she was reported missing.

Background

• The case involved the Villa Park, Illinois murder of Nicole Abusharif’s lesbian lover, Rebecca “Becky” Klein.
• Klein worked with disabled adults at Range of Motion in Winfield.
• Abusharif worked for a company that sold and installs security cameras.
• Acquaintances said they had never seen Becky and Nicole argue and described both as “very nice girls.”
• The couple had lived together in Villa Park and planned to renovate their Villa Park home.
• Nicole Abusharif was described as an alcoholic.
• Prosecutors argued motive involved both a romantic relationship with another woman and money, including an insurance payout.

The offence

• On March 17, 2007, the body of Rebecca Klein was discovered in the trunk of her 1966 Ford Mustang after she was reported missing.
• Investigators found that Klein was bound with duct tape, gagged with a bandana, blindfolded, and suffocated with a plastic bag over her head.
• Police believed Abusharif killed Klein on March 15, 2007, two days before Klein’s body was found.
• Prosecutors stated Abusharif suffocated Klein with a plastic bag, then dumped her body in the trunk of the classic 1966 Ford Mustang parked in the garage of their home at the 200 block of Harvard Avenue in Villa Park.
• Prosecutors alleged Klein’s hands and feet were bound with duct tape and her mouth was duct-taped, with a plastic garbage bag secured around her head and her eyes covered with a blindfold.
• The Mustang was parked in the detached garage of the Villa Park house.
• The prosecution stated that prosecutors would introduce evidence that the defendant killed the victim after their romantic relationship deteriorated and that she had a desire to start a new life with “a different woman.”
• Prosecutors stated Abusharif was motivated to kill Klein to pursue a romantic relationship with another woman and to collect about $400,000 in life and mortgage insurance.
• Prosecutors also suggested Abusharif stood to gain up to $400,000 in insurance and savings if Klein was gone.

Investigation

• On March 16, 2007, Villa Park police officers searched for Klein after a missing person’s report was filed.
• The police discovered Klein’s body two days after her missing person report was filed.
• During the search, prosecutors said Abusharif told police she did not have a key to the trunk of the Mustang.
• An evidence technician discovered Klein’s body and the plastic garbage bag Saturday afternoon after removing the back seat of the car.
• Police later discovered a key to the trunk on a key ring.
• Forensic evidence included:
  • Fingerprints on the duct tape and plastic bag belonging to Abusharif.
  • Abusharif’s DNA on the bandana(s) used to gag and blindfold Klein.
  • Prosecutors stated finger and palm prints on the duct tape and garbage bags used to bind and cover Klein.
  • Prosecutors stated Abusharif’s DNA was found on bandannas used to gag and blindfold Klein.
  • Prosecutors stated more DNA belonging to Abusharif was found on the duct tape used to bind Klein’s feet and hands and to fasten the garbage bag over her head.
• A motive described by prosecutors connected Abusharif to another woman and to insurance money.

Other individuals involved

Rose Sodaro

• Rose Sodaro was a 19-year-old woman who testified about her relationship with Abusharif.
• Sodaro met Abusharif on the social networking site MySpace.
• Prosecutors described Sodaro as the “star witness.”
• The prosecution stated Abusharif and Sodaro had been dating for about a year and that Sodaro spent the night of March 15, 2007 at Abusharif’s home.
• Sodaro testified earlier in the trial.
• Sodaro stated she believed Klein was Abusharif’s roommate, not her life partner.
• The trial narrative described Sodaro’s testimony that Abusharif gave her a key to the Mustang as a present and led her to believe Klein was just a roommate.
• Abusharif testified that she loved Klein and that they had an open relationship with “rules.”

Robert L. Edwards

• Robert L. Edwards was Abusharif’s co-worker at a Des Plaines security company.
• Edwards was charged with five counts of obstructing justice for allegedly lying about his whereabouts when Klein was believed to have been murdered.
• Police focused on Edwards during their initial investigation because he was at Abusharif and Klein’s residence on March 16, 2007 during the search for Klein.
• Edwards later admitted to police that he and Abusharif were “drug buddies who shared wild sex fantasies”.
• Edwards was initially on a $1 million bail, which was later reduced to $500,000.
• After Edwards was indicted on first-degree murder charges, Abusharif was held at the DuPage County Jail on $3 million bond, later lowered to $1 million.
• In November 2008, Edwards went to trial on charges of obstructing justice.
• Edwards was convicted of the obstruction charges and sentenced to 75 days at the DuPage County, Illinois work camp.
• It was stated that Edwards did not testify for the prosecution in Abusharif’s trial.
• The record also stated:
  • Edwards lied to police about his whereabouts the night of the murder.
  • Edwards was videotaped by Villa Park police admitting to being present at the Harvard address on March 15.
  • Edwards was also convicted on the obstruction charges and sentenced on December 30, 2008 to 75 days at the DuPage County work camp.
  • Edwards was facing charges in Cook County for child pornography discovered on his computer during the Klein murder investigation.
• No charges were said to be filed against Edwards in connection with Klein’s murder.

Arrest, charges, and pre-trial custody

• On March 22, 2007, Nicole M. Abusharif was charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide.
• On March 22, 2007, it was stated she suffocated Rebecca Klein with a plastic garbage bag and hid Klein’s body in the trunk of a 1966 Ford Mustang parked in the garage.
• Abusharif was in custody since Saturday prior to March 22, 2007.
• She was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning, where bond would be set.
• After bonding out of jail, Abusharif was put on home confinement in her Oak Lawn apartment.
• Abusharif was living with her father in Oak Lawn.
• Abusharif had a $1 million bond described at the time of reporting before trial.
• Abusharif was held at the DuPage County Jail on $3 million bond, later lowered to $1 million.

Pre-trial bail violation

• On April 25, 2008, Abusharif violated her bail by leaving her apartment to visit a family member’s home next door.
• It was stated that Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Ruggiero applied to have Abusharif’s bail revoked.
• Her bail was only increased by $100,000.
• She returned to county jail and was back out on bail before trial began.

Trial

• Abusharif’s jury trial commenced on April 20, 2009.
• Robert Edwards did not testify for the prosecution.
• Rose Sodaro testified as a witness.
• Many members of Klein’s family testified.
• Abusharif testified in her own defense.
• During the trial, it was stated that Abusharif admitted lying during the police investigation.
• The defence argued it would have been physically impossible for Abusharif to overpower Klein and load her body into a trunk.
• The defence attorneys were Bob Parchem and Dennis Sopata.
• The defence maintained that Abusharif had a bad back and would not have been able to subdue Klein, who weighed 40 pounds more than her.
• The defence also argued the couple was repacking holiday decorations, making it unsurprising that Abusharif’s fingerprints were found all over the crime scene.
• The defence noted that it was Abusharif who called 911 to report Klein’s disappearance.
• It was stated that prosecutors were not seeking the death penalty.
• Prosecutors stated Abusharif killed Klein after their romantic relationship deteriorated and after she had a desire to start a new life with “a different woman.”
• The prosecution promised jurors: “you will meet the other woman.” Her name was stated as Rose.

Quotes and statements during trial

• Assistant DuPage County State’s Atty. Joseph Ruggiero told a jury that Abusharif had invited a third woman to spend the night of March 15, 2007 when Klein was “hogtied and suffocated in the trunk of their classic 1966 Ford Mustang parked in the garage [of their home] in the 200 block of Harvard Avenue.”
• Joseph Ruggiero told the jury: “Was it money? The love for another woman? Probably both,” and: “If you get rid of Becky, you can have the money and the girl you love can move in.”
• Joseph Ruggiero promised jurors: “you will meet the other woman.”
• Bob Parchem said: “Abusharif lied and covered up for Rose because she didn't believe people would understand the nature of their relationship.”
• Abusharif testified: “I was protecting Becky, even though she's dead,” and: “I wanted to protect her name. It's nobody's business what we did behind bedroom doors.”
• Bob Parchem said: “Abusharif and Klein had 'a good relationship, but an unconventional one. They allowed a third party into their relationship, with certain rules, as long as their relationship remained a priority. This was not your normal relationship and normal faithfulness.'”
• Bob Parchem argued about the relationship dynamic and stated: “Abusharif lied and covered up for Rose because she didn't believe people would understand the nature of their relationship.”
• In opening statements, it was also reported that the prosecutor said Abusharif and her significant other were romantically involved and the victim was bound and suffocated in the trunk.
• During a reference to the public’s reaction, it was quoted that the first officer to arrive asked: “What is this? The 'Jerry Springer Show'?”

Verdict

• On May 5, 2009, a jury convicted Abusharif of first-degree murder in the death of Rebecca Klein.
• The jury deliberated for thirteen hours.
• Abusharif was convicted after the jury deliberated for about thirteen hours.
• It was stated she faced up to 60 years in prison.
• The record also stated that the jury deliberated for 11 hours over two days before agreeing with the prosecution.

Sentencing

• On July 27, 2009, Abusharif was sentenced to 50 years in prison without parole.
• It was stated she was sentenced to 50 years incarceration.
• Judge John Kinsella presided over the trial and handed down the sentence.
• Dwight Correctional Center was mentioned as a prison destination.
• The record also stated she would have to serve 100 percent of her sentence before being eligible for parole.
• The record stated that she would be eligible for parole at the age of 76.
• One narrative stated that the jury declined to add a key aggravating factor that the murder was “cold, calculated and premeditated,” which eliminated eligibility for life in prison without parole.
• Another narrative stated she was expected to be sentenced by Judge John Kinsella in early June and that her most likely destination would be Dwight Correctional Facility.

Appeals and appellate outcome

• Abusharif’s conviction was affirmed by the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court on March 4, 2011.

Outcome

• Abusharif remained convicted of first-degree murder of Rebecca Klein.
• The obstruction charges against Robert L. Edwards resulted in a conviction and a 75-day sentence at the DuPage County work camp.

Aftermath

• DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced the sentencing on July 28, 2009.
• Joe Birkett stated: “For the murder of Rebecca Klein, Nicole Abusharif will spend the next fifty years behind bars,”
• Joe Birkett also said: “I would like to thank all those involved in seeking justice in the memory of Rebecca Klein, particularly Assistant State’s Attorneys Joe Ruggiero and Tim Diamond, the Villa Park Police Department, the Major Crimes Task Force, the U.S. Marshall’s Office and the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office.”
• Joe Birkett further stated: “At only thirty-two years-old, Rebecca Klein was taken from her loved ones at far too young an age. Our prayers continue to go out to her family.”
• Joe Birkett continued: “While Rebecca is gone from their lives, perhaps today’s sentencing and the knowledge that Nicole Abusharif will likely never again see a single day of freedom, will bring some measure of closure to this horrible chapter in their lives.”
• During sentencing reporting, it was stated that Abusharif’s bond was $1 million and that she was free on bond before trial.
• Abusharif was described as admitting she was a liar but denying she killed her lesbian partner.
• It was stated that Abusharif was accused of suffocating 32-year-old Becky Klein March 15, 2007.
• The record stated that Abusharif was 28 in May 2009.
• It was stated she was d.o.b. 9/14/1980 and that she was formerly of Villa Park.
• Abusharif was reported to be living with her father in Oak Lawn.
• It was stated Abusharif said she never returned to the Villa Park house after her arrest.
• It was stated that the case made national news due to the intrigue of a “lesbian love triangle” murder.

Other details

• Prosecutors stated Abusharif falsely claimed to be a New York City firefighter during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Prosecutors stated Abusharif said she had liver cancer.
• Prosecutors stated Abusharif told Sodaro that her alcoholism would lead to her death.
• The record described that Abusharif selected her own casket at a funeral home.
• It was stated that Abusharif claimed to have been treated via transplant for liver cancer.
• It was stated that Abusharif claimed to be a hero and told Sodaro about firefighting during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and later that it was a fantasy game they played.
• The record described that Abusharif had “eight earlier insurance claims ranging from auto accidents to workers’ compensation.”
• In the WindyCityMediaGroup description, it was stated the Mustang was referred to as “baby” and that Abusharif used it as her MySpace password; the car name appeared as “________” in the provided text.