"Pick 'Em Out and Knock 'Em Out,"
Prosecutors said the teens spotted Mora about 5 a.m. last Tuesday in a West Rogers Park alley. Malik Jones, 16, announced, "I think I'm gonna knock out this (expletive)," then started the video recorder on his cellphone and handed it to Nicholas Ayala, 17, Assistant State's Attorney Terry Clancy said at a bond hearing. Ayala handed the phone to Anthony Malcolm, 18, prosecutors said.
As the three surrounded Mora, Jones asked him if he had any money in his pockets, Clancy said. When Mora did not respond, Jones punched him in the jaw, she said. Mora fell, hitting the back of his head on the concrete with a loud crack that could be heard on the video, according to Clancy.
Jones moments later rifled $60 from Mora's wallet, prosecutors said.
"All three left the area laughing about victimizing the old man," Clancy said.
About three hours passed before a passer-by found Mora unconscious but breathing. He died the next day of blunt trauma, according to the medical examiner.
The recording of Mora's beating was later put on Jones' Facebook page, according to Clancy. A witness who told police he was assaulted by Jones last month shared the video with others until it was eventually seen by a co-worker of the victim's son, prosecutors said.