Man convicted of Gary woman’s beating death after concert in 2019

A jury convicted a Hammond man Tuesday night in a woman’s murder following a July 27, 2019, Wiz Khalifa concert in Tinley Park, Illinois.

James McGhee, 40, was charged with the death of Sidne-Nichole Buchanan, 27, of Gary.

He was accused of beating her to death in his Gary apartment, then taking her body to an Illinois forest preserve, according to court documents.

McGhee was “jealous” after seeing she was involved with another man, a longtime on-andoff boyfriend earlier that day and knowing he was the “side” relationship, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Infinity Westberg said. He planned to confront her after the concert, which turned violent and deadly, she said.

He faces 45-65 years on the murder conviction at a Dec. 2 sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors added a habitual offender enhancement — which could add 6-20 years to that sentence, according to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Bruno.

Senior Judge Michael Bergerson heard arguments on two prior felony convictions, but said he would make a final verdict on the added sentence on Friday.

After the murder verdict, Kaneka Turner, Buchanan’s mother, turned around and clasped the hand of a relative.

Defense lawyer James Woods called Kevin Thomas — the state’s star witness who rode with McGhee while he disposed of her body — a “liar” and questioned his credibility throughout the two-week trial.

Prosecutors tried to discount or explain away pieces of evidence that didn’t fit neatly with Thomas’ story, he said. Plus, there were several holes or gaps in the cellphone location data.

The wet carpet at his Gary apartment could have been explained by maintenance issues, he said.

Westburg discounted those theories.

The most logical explanation was McGhee — the last person known to see Buchanan alive — killed her and got rid of her body, she said.