Two indicted for fatal carjacking
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com January 25, 2012 8:16PM
Fredrick Smith
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:07AM
Two men charged with the fatal Waukegan carjacking were indicted by a Lake County grand jury Wednesday on first-degree murder charges.
Besides the murder charges, Fredrick Smith, 23, of Harvey, and Kerwin Murry, 22, of Waukegan, were indicted for armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Smith and Murry are accused of carjacking Carlos Hernandez, 44, of Waukegan in late December. Hernandez was waiting for his nephew in a running vehicle on the city’s Near North Side when Smith and Murry got into the vehicle and forced Hernandez to drive, authorities said.
Witnesses told police they overheard the two men discussing a robbery. These witnesses also told police Murry asked Smith for the gun, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Humke said at their bond hearing.
Hernandez was shot in the stomach and shoulder. He was able to describe the three assailants to police before he died, officials said.
Police mounted a seven- to eight-hour manhunt for the suspects that included the use of canines. Three men were taken into custody after they were found at Lakeside Tower in Waukegan.
Police said they did not have enough evidence to charge the third person said to be involved. Murry and Smith are in custody at Lake County Jail in lieu of $5 million bonds each.
Smith is due for arraignment Feb. 2 and Murry is due for arraignment Jan. 31.
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