Oldest member of Lake County Five pleads guilty to lesser charges in fatal car theft

Diamond Davis, one of the five Chicago teens initially charged with felony murder in connection with a car theft gone wrong in Old Mill Creek last month, pleaded guilty to reduced charges Thursday.

Davis, 18, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, a class 4 felony, and criminal trespass to a vehicle, a class A misdemeanor. She will be sentenced Oct. 18.

Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim initially charged Davis and the four others, all boys from Chicago, with felony murder in the death of their accomplice, 14-year-old Jaquan Swopes, who was shot by a homeowner during an attempted car theft Aug. 13. The four others had their cases remanded to juvenile court last week.

While reversing a decision that sparked controversy, locally and in the legal community, Nerheim said last week the facts still support the murder charges. He said he agreed to reduce the charges after considering evidence, mitigation presented by defense counsel and wishes of the victim’s family, and added the agreement ensures “all offenders will be held responsible and face appropriate sentence.”

Read more at DailyHerald.com