Death penalty sought in landlord slaying

CHICAGO, July 6 (UPI) -- Illinois prosecutors say they're seeking the death penalty for a Chicago man who allegedly beat his landlord to death with garden tools.

Cook County, Ill., officials said Sunday Martin Vega, 27, is eligible for the death penalty for allegedly killing landlord William Hallin, 67, using the garden tools, an ice scraper, a BB gun and a pipe before setting the body on fire, The Chicago Tribune reported.

Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil has denied bail for Vega, the newspaper said.

Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Emily Stevens alleged Vega killed Hallin Friday when the landlord came around to collect the rent and noticed Vega had a dog in his apartment, which was banned by the rental agreement.

Stevens said when Hallin ordered Vega to remove the dog, a fight ensued in which the tenant allegedly pushed the landlord down a flight of stairs, tied him up in the basement, struck him in the head with a lamp, choked him with a rope and set his body on fire, the Tribune reported.