Defendant In New Lenox Homicide Denied Second-Degree Murder Plea Deal

WILL COUNTY, IL — A 20-year-old Harvey man charged in the 2020 fatal shooting at a New Lenox gas station sought a plea deal Wednesday, a plea prosecutors rejected.

Kevin Johnson, now 20, was 16 at the time of the slaying, and has been in custody on a $2.5 million bond since being charged with murder in the shooting death of Charles Baird, a 19-year-old New Lenox resident. Johnson on Wednesday requested a plea deal for second degree murder with a 20-year sentence.

The trial has seen continuous delays, with the most recent being in January 2024, this time while attorneys pursue claims of a supposed alibi witness. Johnson's attorney Jason Strzelecki told Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak in November 2023 that his client had an alibi witness, and that he would locate that person—who has reportedly been living out of state and recently returned to Illinois—soon.

Baird was shot at a New Lenox Circle K gas station in May 2020 when police said that a car, which had been stolen two days earlier from Lockport, pulled up to a gas pump near where Baird’s car was parked. Police said that while Baird was inside the gas station, an occupant from the stolen vehicle tried to open the door of Baird’s car, in an attempt to steal it. Baird’s car was locked, police said, and when another person approached him, words were exchanged and Baird was shot in the back. He was taken to a local hospital, but died two days later from his injuries.

Police have said that Baird was able to describe the suspect before he died, and that they have video of the shooting. Baird's mother also contends there was another person in the car who pointed to Johnson as the shooter.

Jennifer Baird said Wednesday that Assistant State's Attorney's Christine Vukmir reportedly has affidavits from three people—though she doubts their validity.

"I mean come on, if you had alibi witnesses, why would you spend all this time behind bars if you didn’t have to," Baird said. "If you’re innocent—this all stinks like s*** to me."

"... I’m just so tired and I want this part behind us at this point."

Baird has previously called the claims of an alibi witness "just more BS."

"Where was this person 3-1/2 years ago?" Baird said to Patch in November. "Right now, I think he’s grasping at anything to get him out of what he did."

Baird said Vukmir told her it was possible the trial might not start until September or October, as she is "bombarded with murder trials" before then.

Johnson—who remains in the custody of the Will County Sheriff—late last year used a condition of the SAFE-T Act, permitting those detained while awaiting trial to petition for pretrial release. A detention hearing is then held to determine if the detainee could be release pending trial. Pretrial release may be denied "when it is determined that the defendant poses a specific, real and present threat to a person, or has a high likelihood of willful flight," according to the legislation.
Judge Bertani-Tomczak denied Johnson's motion.

In November 2022, Johnson asked for a reduction in bond to $500,000. He agreed at the time that he would pay $50,000 and live with his grandmother if released. He also agreed to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of his release. That request was also denied.

The next pretrial date is March 7, with a potential trial date slotted for Sept. 16.

"... I’m just so exhausted with all of it really," Jennifer Baird said. "I want it to go to trial and God willing they have enough to put him away for a very long time.

"I really want Kevin Johnson to know the pain he caused me in that moment, but the bigger picture is Charlie’s whole family and his friends. Kevin Johnson has no idea what he did to a lot of people.

"... He was 19, learning life, figuring it out, finding himself, and it was cut short being in the wrong place at the wrong time. That goes through my mind day in, day out. How I wish I was there to protect him. I would have taken that bullet in a heartbeat, no question. I would have because he was my son, and we do whatever to keep them safe."