Judge denies pretrial release for Joliet woman charged with homicide cover-up

Investigators learned Dalewayne Turner, 38, was carrying a new freezer to a Joliet residence. Some of his remains would be found in the freezer. A prosecutor said the victim 'ended up carrying his own coffin.'

A Will County judge has denied the pretrial release of a Joliet woman charged with participating in the concealment of the homicidal death of a man whose body was cut into pieces. Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak granted a request from prosecutors on Friday morning to keep Robin Turner, 62, in jail as she awaits trial. Turner is charged with concealment of the homicidal death of her husband, Dalewayne Turner, 38, of Joliet, and the dismemberment of his body.

Dalewayne Turner’s half brother, James Adams, 26, also faces the same charges. A witness claimed Adams confessed to stabbing Dalewayne Turner to death during an altercation, according to prosecutors. Adams has not been charged with that offense.

Bertani-Tomczak said she believed prosecutors sustained their burden in proving no release conditions could mitigate Robin Turner’s danger to the public or her danger to a key witness against her. The next court hearing is set for Aug. 3. The case may go to a grand jury on July 31.

During Friday’s court hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Wiktoria Oginski said police investigators uncovered video evidence showing Adams and Dalewayne Turner had brought a new freezer to their Joliet residence. Dalewayne Turner’s head, neck and torso would be found in that freezer while his other remains were found about 175 miles south in Lake Mattoon , according to prosecutors. “Dalewayne ended up carrying his own coffin,” Oginski said.

Oginski said Robin Turner told police she had to buy a new freezer because the old one was broken. But investigators found the old freezer was working and smaller than the new freezer, Oginski said. The key witness in the case said he was asked by Adams and Robin Turner to help dispose of Dalewayne Turner’s body, Oginski said.

Robin Turner’s attorney, Peter Beuke, told Bertani-Tomczak he didn’t believe the witness was “credible at all.” The witness had called 911 to report what he learned about Dalewayne Turner from Adams and Robin Turner, prosecutors said. Beuke said the reason for the witness’ call to 911 will become a “major issue” at trial.

Bueke had given Bertani-Tomczak character letters of support as part of his argument for Robin Turner’s pretrial release. “People are there in her corner,” Bueke said. Bertani-Tomczak reviewed the letters and later impounded them from public view.

Bueke said there are no eyewitnesses or forensic evidence linking Robin Turner to Dalewayne Turner’s death or the dismemberment of his body. “What we have is suspicion,” Bueke said. Bueke said his client is 62 and has “never been arrested before.”

He said she has no history of violence or violating court orders. He had recommended pretrial release with electronic monitoring and home confinement. But Oginski was insistent on not allowing pretrial release for Robin Turner.

“These are very, very serious charges and the investigation is still ongoing,” Oginski said.