Person Charged In Murder Of Cook County Judge: Chicago Police
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago police have charged 37-year-old Joshua Smith in connection with the murder of Judge Raymond Myles.
Smith has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and armed robbery.
Police told CBS 2 that Smith drove himself to the Area South Police Station and has been in police custody for two days.
"The motive of this crime is robbery, which we do not believe is random," said Melissa Staples, Chicago Police Department Chief of Detectives. "Nor do we believe Smith acted alone."
Detectives say the shell casings found outside the judge's home match those found at the scene of an attempted armed robbery and shooting in Englewood in January. Smith was reportedly not involved in that incident.
Smith has previously served time. In 2003, he plead guilty to an armed robbery. He was sentenced to six years in prison; he served four.
Police say the robbery had nothing to do with Myles' duties as a judge, but instead was a targeted robbery. He has been a Cook County judge since 1999.
The community was severely shaken when the judge was murdered early Monday morning outside his home. It happened when his female companion was shot in the leg by the suspect and when the judge came to help, she could be heard screaming, 'Don't kill him. Don't kill him.' But the judge was shot multiple times.
Chicago Police said the investigation is active and ongoing. They are still questioning several people and additional charges could be filed.
