Palm Harbor Man Charged In Christmas Slaying Of Half-Brother: Police

PALM HARBOR, FL — A 28-year-old Palm Harbor man faces murder charges after Illinois prosecutors said he shot and killed his half-brother in an incident officials are characterizing as a senseless act of violence.

Kendall Yarborough faces two counts of first-degree murder after police were called to a suburban Chicago home just after 3 p.m. Monday. Police found the victim, James Watson, with a gunshot wound to his abdomen after officials said she was shot by Yarbrough.

Watson was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the DuPage County (Illinois) State’s Attorney’s Office said on Tuesday. Police said Yarborough shot Watson from the upper level of the house after Watson slammed his fist on a card table, upset that he was unable to find his cell phone, officials said.

Family members called 911 and provided medical assistance to Watson until first responders could arrive. Police were able to find a 9-millimeter handgun and a spent shell casing and took Yarborough into custody.

“This senseless act of violence will not go unpunished,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “To James’ family and friends, I offer my sincere condolences and wish them strength as they mourn the loss of a family member and come to terms with another family member accused of his murder.”

On Tuesday, a DuPage County judge approved a motion to continue Yarborough’s pre-detention hearing until Wednesday afternoon.

“It is horrible that a tragedy occurred on Christmas,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said in a statement on Tuesday. “It goes to show that domestic violence can occur in any home and that’s why we take domestic-related incidents seriously at the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.”