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\nLake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim speaks at a news conference on Aug. 13, 2019, at Daniel Wright Junior High School, Lincolnshire, Ill. (Victor Hilitski \/ for the Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
\nLake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim speaks at a news conference on Aug. 13, 2019, at Daniel Wright Junior High School, Lincolnshire, Ill. (Victor Hilitski \/ for the Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
Lake County\u2019s top prosecutor on Thursday defended his decision to charge five teens with murder after their companion was shot while police said they were trying to steal a car, saying he believed the teens, while not behind the trigger of a gun, were ultimately responsible for the loss of the 14-year-old\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
State\u2019s Attorney Michael Nerheim also offered a few new details about what authorities say happened in the incident, alleging the teens carried a 10-inch knife with them that night and that the owner said he fired his gun to \u201cscare them away,\u201d but one of the shots struck one of the teens.<\/p>\n
Responding in a written statement to what he described as \u201ca few citizen inquiries\u201d regarding the charges, Nerheim said he wanted to be \u201cdirect and forthright in explaining my decision-making process and evaluation of this crime.”<\/p>\n
The charges filed earlier this week have drawn some condemnation from family of the teen who died, 14-year-old Ja\u2019quan Swopes, and questions about whether Lake County officials would attempt to bring any charges against the homeowner who fired on him. Critics of law enforcement\u2019s use of the so-called felony murder rule say this week\u2019s charges are an example of why the law should be reformed.<\/p>\n
In his statement, Nerheim did not disclose whether charges had been considered against the shooter, but said he believed the teens were the ones responsible for the death.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The entire article may be viewed here: Chicago Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n
Hat tip to Ex for the link.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"