Husband, brother allegedly murder woman to cover up rape, gain $100k in insurance

Two brothers are being held without bail in the Cook County Jail for the murder of a woman who was one of the brother's wives. Dujuan Powe, 20, staged the carjacking of his brother, sister in law, and nieces and nephews a week ago today on Chicago's Northwest Side. As they were filling up at a gas station, Dujuan had carjacked the family, ordering the woman, Kenyatae Collier-Brewer, 22, into the trunk of the car. Dujuan wore a mask from the movie "Scream" while committing the crime.

Twenty-two year old Darron Brewer drove home while his estranged wife was in the trunk of the car. Dujuan went to the 2200 block of North Tripp Avenue and shot Collier-Brewer twice in the head, killing her. The gun used in the murder was traced back to Dujuan's house, where he lived with his girlfriend. Brewer reported his wife missing Monday, October 26. 

According to prosecutors, the murder was dome to cover up the rape of the woman, who threatened to go to police. Also, there was the little matter of the $100,000 (or $150,000) life insurance policy that Brewer and his brother would collect on if his wife died.

Emotions ran high Friday during a bond hearing for Brewer, who was charged Thursday with first-degree murder. Moments after Brewer was escorted by sheriff's deputies into the courtroom, Collier-Brewer's aunt, Tanisha Peppers, rushed from a spectator area through glass doors into the courtroom, glaring at him. A deputy took her by the arm and had her return to the public viewing area. Brewer kept his head bowed, ignoring about a half-dozen in-laws.

As the gruesome details of the slaying were read by Assistant State's Attorney Jodi Peterson, the victim's mother, Theresa Jones, sobbed and ran to the back of the spectator area, where she was comforted by her sister.

The aunt said that the couple, who met in preschool, had troubles, with attempts on Collier-Brewer's life. She began coming home hurt, and was shot in a robbery while pregnant with her youngest son. The victim moved out of the home she used to share with Brewer three months ago, but when she was hit over the head with a glass bottle and needed eight stitches, she explained away the incident as gang violence.
 
The victim leaves behind two kids, 9 month old Darron, and 1 1/2 year old Darriona. 1st degree murder normally carries a 20 to 60 year sentence without parole, but when comitted with a gun, the minimum sentence is 45 years without parole.