Inmate claims pressure to identify shooter in New Lenox

An inmate, Marquez Whitfield, testified that he was pressured by police and his mother to identify a shooter in the 2020 killing of Charles Baird in New Lenox. He claimed this pressure aimed to prevent him from being charged with aiding the crime. Whitfield, who witnessed the shooting, said he was in a stolen car with the shooter. He described the shooter’s clothing and admitted to burning his clothes after the incident. He also mentioned taking Xanax at the time. Prosecutors presented video evidence showing the shooter’s distinctive clothing and a limp, matching the defendant. DNA from a cigarette found in the stolen car linked the defendant to the crime. Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday.