Suspect denies carjacking murder charges
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com February 2, 2012 7:40PM
Fredrick Smith
Updated: March 4, 2012 8:12AM
The second man charged in the fatal Waukegan carjacking denied the first-degree murder charges lodged against him at his arraignment Thursday.
Fredrick Smith, 23, faces 35 to 75 years in prison if convicted because a firearm was allegedly used, Lake County Circuit Court Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak said.
Smith and co-defendant Kerwin Murry, 21, are accused of robbing Waukegan man Carlos Hernandez, 44, on Dec. 29.
Police said Hernandez was ordered at gunpoint into a running vehicle and was forced to drive about two blocks away from his residence in the 400 block of Hickory Street.
Hernandez was shot twice in the stomach and described his attackers to police before he died.
Murry is accused of pulling the trigger. He has since pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
Smith is due back in court Feb, 12. His trial is scheduled for March 12.
Both Smith and Murry are in custody at Lake County Jail in lieu of $5 million bonds each.
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