The Murders of Bruce and Darlene Rouse (Crime Documentary)
- 5 years ago
"Saying she was ""disgusted"" at not being able to sentence William Rouse to life in prison for killing his millionaire parents, a Lake County judge instead handed him two consecutive 40-year sentences, closing the book on one of the Chicago area's most vexing murder mysteries.
""That is the injustice that I have to live with,"" said Judge Victoria A. Rossetti.
""You not only took their lives, but you took your own."" The sentence was the maximum allowed under the law. Rouse was spared more severe punishment because stiffer laws for juvenile crimes were enacted only days after the murders, authorities said. And because modern truth-in-sentencing laws can't be applied to a 1980 case, Rouse could be paroled in 39 years, including time already served and credit for good behavior.
Lake County prosecutor Jeff Pavletic and Lake County Sheriff's Department Lt. Charles Fagan, whose passion for solving the case was evident throughout the high-profile trial, said they were satisfied with the judge's decision. Even if Rouse is paroled, he will be an elderly man.
Before the sentencing, his voice ringing with sarcasm and contempt, Pavletic said William Rouse didn't have such a terrible life as a 15-year-old growing up in the Libertyville area. The seemingly comfortable lifestyle his parents provided ""wasn't good enough for this defendant.""
Bruce and Darlene Rouse, William's parents, were trying to ""live the American dream"" back in 1980, he noted.
After a confrontation with his mother about drinking and drug use on the night of June 5, 1980, William Rouse blasted her in the head with a shotgun as she lay in bed. Then he turned to his startled father, whom he shot, beat with the gun and stabbed seven times until the man ""quit moving.""
Defense attorney David Brodsky, in seeking leniency for his client, said that the Rouse home was, in reality, a place poisoned by infidelity, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Brodsky said that it was in that environment that a young, emotionally disturbed son withered, turning to alcohol at age 7 and finally murdering his parents while intoxicated at 15, he said.
Rouse was convicted of the murders on Aug. 10 after two weeks of testimony.
He had confessed to the crime to Lake County investigators last October in Florida. Investigators traveled to Key West elicited a 37-minute videotaped confession from Rouse after talking him into--in the words of Fagan--""going after the demon . . . and putting it to rest.""
After years of criminal activity in Florida and nothing to show from a $600,000 inheritance, Rouse had been taken into custody by Key West police as a possible suspect in a bank robbery. They then notified authorities in Lake County, who were waiting for a chance to talk once more to William Rouse about the 1980 murders.
In the hours before Darlene Rouse was murdered, she met friends at a restaurant while Bruce Rouse, a wealthy entrepreneur, attended a Rotary Club meeting and worked at his service stati
""That is the injustice that I have to live with,"" said Judge Victoria A. Rossetti.
""You not only took their lives, but you took your own."" The sentence was the maximum allowed under the law. Rouse was spared more severe punishment because stiffer laws for juvenile crimes were enacted only days after the murders, authorities said. And because modern truth-in-sentencing laws can't be applied to a 1980 case, Rouse could be paroled in 39 years, including time already served and credit for good behavior.
Lake County prosecutor Jeff Pavletic and Lake County Sheriff's Department Lt. Charles Fagan, whose passion for solving the case was evident throughout the high-profile trial, said they were satisfied with the judge's decision. Even if Rouse is paroled, he will be an elderly man.
Before the sentencing, his voice ringing with sarcasm and contempt, Pavletic said William Rouse didn't have such a terrible life as a 15-year-old growing up in the Libertyville area. The seemingly comfortable lifestyle his parents provided ""wasn't good enough for this defendant.""
Bruce and Darlene Rouse, William's parents, were trying to ""live the American dream"" back in 1980, he noted.
After a confrontation with his mother about drinking and drug use on the night of June 5, 1980, William Rouse blasted her in the head with a shotgun as she lay in bed. Then he turned to his startled father, whom he shot, beat with the gun and stabbed seven times until the man ""quit moving.""
Defense attorney David Brodsky, in seeking leniency for his client, said that the Rouse home was, in reality, a place poisoned by infidelity, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Brodsky said that it was in that environment that a young, emotionally disturbed son withered, turning to alcohol at age 7 and finally murdering his parents while intoxicated at 15, he said.
Rouse was convicted of the murders on Aug. 10 after two weeks of testimony.
He had confessed to the crime to Lake County investigators last October in Florida. Investigators traveled to Key West elicited a 37-minute videotaped confession from Rouse after talking him into--in the words of Fagan--""going after the demon . . . and putting it to rest.""
After years of criminal activity in Florida and nothing to show from a $600,000 inheritance, Rouse had been taken into custody by Key West police as a possible suspect in a bank robbery. They then notified authorities in Lake County, who were waiting for a chance to talk once more to William Rouse about the 1980 murders.
In the hours before Darlene Rouse was murdered, she met friends at a restaurant while Bruce Rouse, a wealthy entrepreneur, attended a Rotary Club meeting and worked at his service stati