Chicago-Jaquan Swopes, 14, killed during botched car theft, 5 teens charged with murder, 29 Aug 2019

[imstilla.grandma]

Jaquan Swopes, 14, was killed during a botched car theft in Lake County last month.

According to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, Swopes and five other Chicago teens were attempting to steal a car owned by a 75-year-old Lake County man. The man confronted the teens and fired his gun, killing Swopes.

Though no one in the group of teens fired that fatal shot, all were charged with his murder and are being tried as adults because of a controversial Illinois law known as the felony murder law.

Under that law, anyone in the state of Illinois can be charged and convicted of first-degree murder even if they didn’t kill the victim or intend to commit a crime.

Critics say the law is broad and unjust, especially when it involves juveniles. Proponents of the law say it deters crime.
5 Chicago Teens Charged with Murder Under Controversial Illinois Law

 

[LadyL]

sounds about right to me

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The top prosecutor has decided to drop the murder charges for lesser charges under an agreement with the families of the suspects.

As part of the agreement, the only adult charged in case, 18-year-old Diamond Davis, has agreed to plead guilty to a felony burglary charge and a misdemeanor trespassing charge. She is expected to waive her preliminary hearing Thursday, and enter a guilty plea next week.

The murder charge will also be dismissed against the four juveniles, but no further details about what charges they may be facing were provided.
Lake County drops controversial murder charges against 5 teens