Murder Case Witness Killed in Motorcycle Crash

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet man who was supposed to testify against his alleged accomplice in a 2012 murder was killed in a motorcycle wreck just after midnight Saturday.

Jermain Bennett, 42, was pronounced deceased at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. He had been riding a motorcycle when he crashed with another vehicle near the corner of Richards Street and Third Avenue.

Bennett was released from jail less than three months ago after spending three and a half years in custody following the murder of 39-year-old Sean McGinn.

Bennett and McGinn had owned the Cass Street boxing gym Team Joliet KO Zone together.

In August 2012, Bennett and another man, Kenneth Edwards, 48, allegedly set up a phony cocaine deal involving McGinn. McGinn reportedly headed to the area behind his downtown gym. When he arrived, he was shot twice.

A large sum of money was missing from McGinn’s car after the killing, according to police.

Bennett and Edwards were both charged with murder and armed robbery. Bennett pleaded guilty to the robbery charge and was free on bond while he awaited sentencing, said special prosecutor Dave Neal. As part of his deal, Bennett was to testify against Edwards at his murder trial.

The prosecution of Edwards should not be hindered by Bennett's death, Neal said.

“I don’t anticipate that this will have a significant impact on the Kenneth Edwards trial," the prosecutor said, while extending his condolences.

“Our sympathies go out to Mr. Bennett’s family,” Neal said.

Neal said he was going to ask for a sentence of 25 years in prison when Bennett was sentenced in September.

Edwards was released from jail in December so his right to a speedy trial would not be violated. Bennett spent 16 more months in behind bars before he was released on April 27.

A woman answering the phone at Bennett’s home declined to comment.