$3M Bond Set for Charles Clements, Ill. Man Accused of Killing Over Peeing Dog

(May 12) -- A Chicago judge has set bond at $3 million for a retired U.S. Marine who is accused of killing a man whose dog urinated on his lawn.

According to Will County prosecutors, 23-year-old Joshua Funches was walking his fox terrier in the Chicago suburb of University Park on Sunday when the dog urinated on 69-year-old Charles J. Clements' front lawn. An argument between the two men ensued, during which Clements pulled out a .45-caliber handgun and pointed it at Funches, police say.

An undated mug shot shows retired marine Charles Clements.

University Park Police Dept.

Retired Marine Charles Clements faces charges of killing a man whose dog urinated on his lawn.

Witnesses later told police Funches became agitated and said, "Next time you pull out a pistol, why don't you use it?" Clements responded by firing a single shot that struck Funches in the abdomen, Assistant State's Attorney Sondra Denmark said.

Funches, a father of two with another child due in August, was pronounced dead at St. James Hospital in nearby Olympia Fields. Clements was arrested on first- and second-degree murder charges.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Clements has won a lawn beautification award handed out to residents. He is also known to yell at anyone who steps on his lawn: Neighbor Joanne Byers told the paper her son once had a run-in with Clements after he accidentally stepped on his grass.

"Man, he popped out and called, 'Hey watch it -- watch it!' " Byers said.

Funches' mother, Patricia, was in court for Tuesday's hearing. She briefly addressed Judge Marzell Richardson and described her son's death as "senseless," WBBM reported.

Clements is expected to appear in court again on June 1.