Joshua Miner double murder bench trial ends

JOLIET, Ill. -- In one week, Joshua Miner will learn his fate. The 26-year-old is accused in the gruesome murders of Eric Glover and Terrance Rankins in January 2013.

After calling only one witness, the defense rested its case on Tuesday. Closing arguments followed and a judge will hand down his verdict in the bench trial on October 8.

"We are very glad to have this trial behind us. And we are looking forward to the last one," Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said. He wrapped up the prosecution's arguments, calling Miner's actions "demonic" and "depraved."

Prosecutors allege Miner was the mastermind behind the killings of Glover and Rankins, both 22. Prosecutors said the two men thought they were going to a party when they were strangled to death. They also allege Miner had sex on their bodies and fantasized about making a mask of one of their faces.

"Every time you have to come back, it's anxiety all over again. It's never-ending," Jamille Kent, Rankins' mother, said.

"I hurt every day. I got to work hurting. I come home hurting," Nicole Jones, Glover's mother, said.

Miner's defense argued his client was not part of any robbery plots and the deaths were a fight that got out of hand.

"It's an exercise in futility, if you ask me. But, you know, it is what it is. He deserves his day in court and he's getting it," Duval Rankins, victim's father, said. "We are going to have justice for my son."

"I'm sitting there, looking at his face while they're going through all the details and there's no reaction. There's no emotion. There's no remorse. There's nothing," Carla Kent, Rankins' aunt, said.

Last month, Bethany McKee was convicted in the murders by the same judge. Alisa Massaro pleaded guilty to a lesser charge for testifying against McKee and is serving her sentence.

The fourth suspect, Adam Landerman, is waiting for a court date to be set.