'I killed him,' suspect allegedly told cops after murder of Port Richmond man

Advance photo/Michael OatesJahaad Chesson, 23, glances back at reporters while being escorted to Stapleton Criminal Court.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The ex-convict accused of stabbing a 54-year-old Port Richmond man to death admitted to cops after his arrest that he murdered the victim, authorities say.

During his arraignment at Stapleton Criminal Court today, prosecutors said Jahaad Chesson, 23, gave the following statement after his arrest:

“I did it. I killed him. I went to the crib through the back door. The victim asked about jewelry. He says I was disrespectful. He said something about my mother and walked upstairs. We were pushing each other. The knife was in there and I did him with it. It was a blur. I was standing over him. I was on my knees. I drove him to the back and left him there.”

Anthony Illidge was discovered behind 17/31 Sleight St. yesterday afternoon with multiple stab wounds to the torso.
Illidge, a recent divorcee, was living at 88 St. Joseph’s Ave. in Port Richmond, paying rent to Chesson’s mother, law enforcement sources said. Investigators believe Chesson stabbed Illidge to death after the older man caught him breaking into his apartment.

Chesson then took Illidge's body and abandoned it on Straight Street.

He was remanded today without bail.
Chesson faces charges of second-degree murder, third-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Earlier today, in a bizarre exchange with reporters as he waited, shackled, outside court, Chesson vowed to tell his “side of the story,” apparently coming close to confessing several times before changing course and backtracking.

“I was high as a mother [expletive] when I did it,” Jahaad Chesson, 23, told members of the media as he waited to enter the court for his arraignment.

When asked by reporters whether he had just confessed to the murder of Anthony Illidge, 54, Chesson backtracked and said he was told he was on drugs during the slaying.

“All right, listen buddy,” the suspect barked as he pointed at one journalist who questioned him on the discrepancy.

Here’s video of the exchange:

Suspect in murder of Anthony Illidge talks to reporters

Here is a look at the story in photos:

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