Plainfield man now charged with murder Bail raised to $750K after ex-girlfriend dies of gunshot wound to head Thursday, May 31, 2007Charges against a 24-year-old man were upgraded to murder yesterday, the day after police say he shot his estranged girlfriend in the head in her Plainfield home.The victim, Kee-ah-sha Dickson, 21, died late Tuesday night in University Hospital in Newark, hours after the attack.Armed with a handgun, Ismael Cathcart entered Dickson's second-floor apartment around 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to Plainfield Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig.After an argument and a brief struggle, authorities say Cathcart shot Dickson, then fled her house, which is on the 500 block of East Third Street, and sped off in her car.Cathcart, who lives on the 500 block of West Third Street, turned himself in to authorities about two hours later, said Police Chief Edward Santiago, after his family had arranged his surrender.Police recovered a 9 mm handgun, which they say is the murder weapon. A bullet shell casing was found at the crime scene, Santiago said.Dickson was airlifted from Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center to University Hospital, where she died at 10:30 p.m., said David Hancock, a Union County assistant prosecutor and investigations supervisors for the office.It was the third homicide in Plainfield this year.Relatives say the couple's two-year relationship soured over time, with Dickson securing a restraining order that was supposed to keep Cathcart away, police said.In addition to the upgraded charges -- from attempted murder to murder -- cash bail was also bumped up to $750,000, the prosecutor's office said.All that was of little comfort to Dickson's mother, Lisa Cheese, and her relatives and friends, who gathered on the victim's front porch yesterday, exchanging hugs and words of condolence. With a look of despair on her face, Cheese kept her arms wrapped tightly around an 8-by-10-inch photo of her daughter, who graduated from Plainfield High School three years ago.By late afternoon, the mother left to make funeral arrangements.Cathcart's own relatives have deep roots in Plainfield."As a family we are hurt," said Lenny Cathcart, Ismael's uncle, and a member of the Plainfield Board of Education. "But we also are hurt and pray for her family. We loved and accepted her as family," he said of Dickson. "Two families are suffering," he said, "but for theirs, they won't be able to see their child."Lenny Cathcart said his nephew is currently unemployed, but had stayed out of trouble. Lenny Cathcart said he was aware of the domestic violence allegations against Ismael Cathcart, but added that his nephew had never been arrested before."When I heard about the shooting," he said, "I was shocked."R.I.P kee-ah-sha didnt know u like dat but me and u was cool as hell.. thats fucked how u died.. Ish is my nigga but he aint have to do u like that~REST IN PEACE~