Lookout charged with murder; $1M bail

A 19-year-old man who admitted acting as a lookout for a fatal shooting on Christmas Eve has been charged with first-degree murder.

Maurice Pearson and an accomplice met Craig Harris, 30, at his home on the 7300 block of South Vernon to sell Harris a gun about 5 p.m. Christmas Eve, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Molly Donnelly said at hearing Sunday.

But the sale fell through, and Harris was found a short time later in the gangway next to his home with two bullet wounds to his face and his pockets turned out, missing $200, Donnelly said.

Pearson, of the 8400 block of South Parnell, admitted to police he acted as the lookout, Donnelly said.

Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan set bail at $1 million for Pearson.

Pearson’s accomplice has not been charged.