No Release For Harvey Man Awaiting Trial In New Lenox Homicide

WILL COUNTY, IL — A man awaiting trial in a fatal shooting at a New Lenox gas station in 2020 will remain in custody, a Will County judge ruled Thursday.

Kevin Johnson, now 19, was 16 at the time of the incident, 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.

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 surveillance footage of the encounter.

As a condition of the SAFE-T Act, those detained while awaiting trial may petition for pretrial release. A detention hearing is held to determine if the detainee could be release pending trial. Pre-trial 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.

Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak denied the motion Thursday, stating the accused is "being held on a nonprobational, detainable offense and that he poses a danger to the public," according to court documents.

Baird's mother Jennifer said Friday that she and her husband were relieved with the judge's decision.

"We are extremely grateful that Judge Bernini-Tomczak denied his request," Jennifer Baird said. "We are in court every single court date because I want Kevin Johnson to know that Charlie has a family, a family that loves him and that Charlie’s life mattered, it mattered to me.

"This happened on Mother’s Day and my Mother’s Day will never be the same. Every time we go to court, it opens that night up all over again. It’s been three years; we need closure that the person who did this to our family is held accountable."

Last November, the man charged in the slaying asked for a reduction in bond to $500,000. The man 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 denied.

He remains in custody until trial; a subsequent court date is set for Nov. 30, according to court documents.