Trial begins in Riverwoods teen stabbing death
Jury selection begins Monday for an Ingleside man charged with killing a Riverwoods teen two years ago over a drug deal that went sour.
James E. Lewis, 43, formerly of the 26900 block of Route 134, is charged with first-degree murder in the February 2010 stabbing death of 19-year-old John Herres.
Jury selection is expected to run through Tuesday. Both sides are expected to begin opening statements Wednesday morning. If found guilty, Lewis could spend up to 60 years behind bars.
Herres was one of a group of people who had gathered at Lewis’ house the day of the murder, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Demartini said during Lewis’ 2010 bond hearing.
Demartini said Lewis had purchased a quarter-ounce of marijuana for Herres and some friends. A woman in Herres’ group accused Lewis of keeping some of the drugs for himself. Lewis pushed the woman, Demartini said, and Herres stepped in to stop the argument. But Lewis became enraged and stabbed Herres in the abdomen, Demartini said.
Herres, a 2008 graduate of Libertyville High School and former swimming instructor at Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, was rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he died.
Lewis remained at the scene until police arrived, and was arrested. He has been in Lake County jail on $3 million bail.