After numerous delays, a man charged with murder in a 2011 carjacking in Waukegan is scheduled to face trial on Feb. 21.
Kerwin Murry, 27, of Waukegan, faces several counts of first-degree murder and, if convicted at trial, could face life in prison, according to prosecutors.
Murry is charged with shooting Carlos Hernandez, 44, after Murry and a co-defendant, Frederick Smith, allegedly carjacked Hernandez and left him fatally injured on a street corner Dec. 29, 2011.
A trial date of Feb. 21 was set for Murry on Monday morning in Lake County Circuit Court, and both prosecutors and defense attorney LaTonya Burton said they believe the trial will go forward that day after years of delays.
Smith pleaded guilty to armed robbery under a negotiated plea deal in September 2013, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He is expected to testify against Murry in his upcoming trial as part of the plea deal, prosecutors said Monday.
Burton and assistant state’s attorneys Scott Hoffert and Robert Money said Monday that previous delays in Murry’s trial had included mental health and fitness issues, several attorney changes and witness availability problems.
Officials said Murry faces a sentencing range of 45 years to life in prison if convicted, because he is accused of personally discharging the firearm that killed Hernandez.
Murry and Smith allegedly held Hernandez up at gunpoint in his car and drove him two blocks away from his home on Hickory Street in Waukegan before Murry allegedly shot him in the stomach and left shoulder, authorities said.
Police said Hernandez was able to provide a partial description of the suspects before he died.
According to authorities, Murry and Smith were later located at Lakeside Tower, a residential high-rise near Hickory Street in Waukegan, where Murry was allegedly found inside shaving his head, and Smith was found hiding in the building’s ventilation system.
Murry is being held in Lake County Jail in lieu of $5 million.
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