Izat Morrar, a 37-year-old male from Chicago, Illinois, was found dead on July 20, 2017, in an alley near the 5300 block of South Calumet Avenue. The investigation into his death revealed that Morrar was shot twice in the head at close range, with the autopsy confirming that his death was a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds to the head. A metal projectile was removed from each wound, indicating the use of a firearm.
The primary suspect in Morrar's murder was Michael Pelko, a
37-year-old stock trader and longtime friend of the victim. Pelko, who resided in Willow Springs, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Morrar's death. The prosecution's case against Pelko was built on several key pieces of evidence, including blood matching Morrar's DNA found in Pelko's SUV, and video surveillance footage showing Pelko's vehicle near Morrar's South Loop apartment and the alley where the body was discovered.
During the trial, prosecutors outlined a detailed timeline of events on the day of the murder. According to their account, Pelko picked up Morrar near the Chicago Board of Trade, shot him twice in the back of the head with an antique .22-caliber pistol, drove to his home in Willow Springs to drop off his cellphone in an attempt to disguise his location, and then dumped Morrar's body in the alley. Pelko then returned home in time to attend a pizzeria celebration for his son’s Little League championship, attempting to establish an alibi.
Pelko's defense argued that it was impossible for him to have covered the route in the time allotted and presented witnesses, including his wife and son, to support his claim that he was home during the time of the murder. However, prosecutors pointed out inconsistencies in Pelko's statements, including his initial claims that his car had been in his driveway the entire time, which contradicted evidence showing Morrar getting into and being found dead in Pelko's vehicle.
On August 24, 2019, a jury found Michael Pelko guilty of the 2017 murder of Izat Morrar. Pelko was found to have deliberately planned and executed the murder, despite his attempts to create an alibi. He was sentenced to a prison term of 45 years to life.
