Attorneys on Tuesday morning began jury selection in the 2014 killing of a Bartlett man whose disappearance prompted a year-long investigation that led prosecutors to charge a former Algonquin man with the killing.
Gary Bennett, 38, has pleaded not guilty to murder, armed robbery and concealment of a homicide charges in the death of Keith Crawford.
Prosecutors allege Bennett shot Crawford as they drove in vehicle on Route 31 in West Dundee after leaving a party in August 2014. Bennett then stole drugs and money from Crawford before disposing of his body in Elgin, according to court documents.
Bennett’s attorney, Stephen Richards, has suggested in court records that others could be responsible for Crawford’s disappearance, and told Judge John Barsanti on Tuesday that “we are not conceding Mr. Crawford is dead.”
A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates will be chosen to hear the case which is expected to last approximately three weeks.
Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.