Police Clear Homicide, Charge One with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery
On 9-12-11, Evanston Police Detectives working with the North Regional Major Crime’s Task Force Investigators obtained an anonymous tip identifying a person of interest in the John Costulas homicide investigation. Investigators followed up this anonymous tip, continued to follow all leads, conducted specific area street canvases and interviews. These efforts resulted in a single suspect being identified and detained. This suspect is now identified as Brandon Lee Allen Hinton. The second person of interest did not develop as a suspect at this time.
Continuing their investigation, Detectives interviewed the suspect and used video surveillance footage to further ascertain Hinton’s involvement in the beating, robbery and related death of Mr. Costulas.
Investigative initiatives have now determined that on the date of the incident September 2, 2011, at approximately 5:20 a.m., Hinton was walking in the 500 Blk of Howard St. Evanston, Illinois. The victim Mr. John Costulas was going to work, walking east bound on Howard St. when Hinton, approached Mr. Costulas and without provocation, physically attacked Mr. Costulas, violently striking him in the in the head, causing him to collapse and fall to the ground. Then Hinton obtained ten dollars from Mr. Costulas pants pocket. Once obtaining this small sum of money, Hinton walked away from Mr. Costulas leaving him bleeding and unconscious. On September 10th, at 3:38 a.m. Mr. Costulas succumbed to his injuries dying at a local hospital.
Investigators then worked with the Cook County Medical Examiners Office, attending the post-mortem examination of Mr. Costulas. This examination ruled Mr. Costulas’s death a homicide and further stated the cause of death was “blunt head trauma due to an assault”.
Furthering this investigation, detectives contacted the Cook County State Attorneys Office, who responded to the Evanston police department and worked collectively with all investigators. As a result of this collaboration, additional interviews transpired, line ups were held and evidence was complied and reviewed. This direct collaboration resulted in Brandon Lee Allen Hinton’s, full confession, and being charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of aggravated robbery.
Offender Data
HINTON, Brandon Lee Allen – Male / DOB – 8-2-85
17823 Stonebridge Drive, Hazel Crest, Ill
Charges: 1 Felony Ct. First Degree Murder
1 Felony Ct. Aggravated Robbery
Court Data: Skokie Dist. II, 10-14-11, 9:00 a.m., Rm # 105