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Chicago Woman to Plead Guilty in Mother’s Murder: Attorney

by Ethan Kim
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suitcase murder

Plea Agreement Discussions Underway

Heather Mack, a Chicago woman who was previously convicted in the 2014 murder of her mother in Bali, is planning to plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges in the United States, according to her attorney. The specifics of the plea agreement and potential penalties are currently unclear. However, Mack’s defense has been in negotiations with federal prosecutors for several weeks leading up to her upcoming trial on August 1. The parties are expected to finalize a written plea agreement and proceed with a change of plea hearing on June 15.

Prosecutors Expect Guilty Plea

Prosecutors informed the court on Thursday that they anticipate Mack will plead guilty, although negotiations between the parties are still ongoing. The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois has not provided immediate comment on the matter.

Background: Murder in Bali

In 2015, Mack was convicted in Indonesia as an accessory to her mother’s murder and served seven years of her original 10-year sentence. She was subsequently deported back to the United States along with her six-year-old daughter at the time. The case, characterized by its violence, garnered international attention when the body of Sheila von Wiese-Mack was discovered inside a suitcase left in the trunk of a taxi. Mack, who was 19 years old and pregnant at the time, and her then-boyfriend Tommy Schaefer were arrested at a hotel located approximately 6 miles away from the crime scene. Schaefer was convicted of murder and remains imprisoned in Indonesia.

Arrest and U.S. Charges

In November 2021, federal agents arrested Mack upon her arrival at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on charges related to the murder. She was accused of conspiring with her former boyfriend to kill her mother during their vacation in Bali. Legal experts have noted that the allegations involve two countries with their own legal systems, meaning that prosecuting Mack in the United States does not violate the prohibition against double jeopardy under the U.S. Constitution.

Evidence and Testimony

U.S. prosecutors claim that text messages, surveillance video, and other evidence from the Indonesian case demonstrate that Mack and Schaefer planned von Wiese-Mack’s murder over several months. They allegedly collaborated to clean up the crime scene, dispose of the body, and remove bloody linens from the hotel. According to a court document filed by prosecutors, a relative who visited Mack and Schaefer while they awaited trial in Indonesia later informed authorities that the couple confessed to Schaefer striking von Wiese-Mack with a fruit bowl and Mack covering her mother’s mouth with her hand.

What charges is Heather Mack facing in the United States?

Heather Mack is facing federal conspiracy charges in the United States in relation to the 2014 killing of her mother during a vacation in Bali.

Is Heather Mack planning to plead guilty?

Yes, Heather Mack’s attorney has stated that she plans to plead guilty to the charges.

When is Heather Mack’s trial scheduled to begin?

Heather Mack’s trial is set to begin on August 1.

Are there any details about the potential plea agreement or penalties?

The specific details of the plea agreement and potential penalties remain unclear at this time.

What happened in the murder case in Bali?

Heather Mack was convicted in Indonesia in 2015 as an accessory to her mother’s murder. Her then-boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, was convicted of murder. Mack served seven years of her original 10-year sentence in Indonesia before being deported to the United States.

How did the murder case gain international attention?

The murder case gained international attention when the body of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, Heather Mack’s mother, was found stuffed into a suitcase in Bali. The violent nature of the crime and the subsequent arrest of Mack and Schaefer drew significant media coverage.

What evidence do U.S. prosecutors have against Heather Mack?

U.S. prosecutors claim to have text messages, surveillance video, and other evidence from the Indonesian case that allegedly show Mack and Schaefer planning the murder and cleaning up the crime scene together.

Does prosecuting Heather Mack in the United States violate double jeopardy laws?

No, prosecuting Mack in the United States does not violate double jeopardy laws because the U.S. and Indonesian legal systems are separate and distinct entities.

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