BRONZEVILLE — The man accused of murdering Cook County Judge Raymond Myles outside his Roseland home earlier this month was previously convicted of attempted murder.
Police on Thursday announced charges against Earl Wilson, a 45-year-old Chicagoan believed to be the gunman in the April 10 slaying. Joshua Smith, 37, was previously pegged as the getaway driver and denied bail.
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According to Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson, Wilson was convicted in 1992 of attempted murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was released in 2004 and later arrested multiple times for domestic battery, illegal gun possession and possession of stolen vehicles.
"As we have seen time and time again," Johnson said, the suspect "is no stranger to the criminal-justice system. In this case, he's no stranger to murder."
Myles, 66, was gunned down shortly before 5 a.m. April 10 outside his home in the 9400 block of Forest Avenue. A 52-year-old woman, who was described as Myles' friend, was shot and survived.
During a news conference Thursday at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave., Cmdr. Rodney Blisset, who oversees detectives on the South Side, said the attack "was not random."
Myles' female companion was the target of a robbery that'd been planned for weeks, prosecutors previously said. And "Judge Myles was murdered when he tried to intervene and save the life of his female companion," Blisset said.
The commander provided no additional details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. When asked whether police were looking for additional suspects, Blisset said, "There's more work to be done."
Wilson is slated to appear in bond court Friday.
Smith was denied bail at his bond hearing April 12.
Prosecutors believe Smith was the getaway driver of the burnt-orange Pontiac Sunfire used in the fatal crime. After his arrest, Smith told police his accomplice — now identified as Wilson — spent two or three weeks watching the 52-year-old woman before robbing her as she left for the gym April 10.
The woman left at the same time every morning, Assistant State's Attorney Guy Lisuzzo previously said.
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Shortly before 5 a.m. April 10, a gunman stole the woman's gym bag and shot her in her leg, prosecutors said. Myles came out to see what happened and was shot multiple times in his shoulder, hip and thighs.
Smith and his accomplice then sped off in the Pontiac, which belongs to Smith's ex-girlfriend, authorities said. Smith is accused of telling the girlfriend and her daughter to lie and pretend the car was stolen.
