Zion man guilty of killing Waukegan man in 2013
A jury has found 32-year-old Jamal Johnson of Zion guilty Thursday of killing a 23-year-old Waukegan man in the parking lot of a Zion food store.
Johnson now faces up to 80 years in prison for shooting and killing Mutassem Ahmad Abdelaziz on May 23, 2013, said Cynthia Vargas of the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.
Johnson was ordered held in Lake County jail without bond following the verdict. A court date for his sentencing, in front of Judge Daniel Shanes, will be decided following a preliminary hearing Jan. 15, Vargas said.
Johnson shot Abdelaziz in the neck and head during an attempted armed robbery in front of the grocery on Sheridan Road, Vargas said.
Vargas said Johnson and Rashee Bell, 24 of North Chicago, set up the meeting to sell Abdelaziz several cellphones. However, Johnson demanded money when both parties met, Vargas said.
Bell also was charged with murder for setting up the meeting, Vargas said. He pleaded guilty to a single count of armed robbery on Oct. 9, court records show, and is due to be sentenced Dec. 18.
Douglas Alexander, 22, of Zion, also was charged with murder because he loaned a vehicle to Johnson for the robbery. He pleaded guilty to armed robbery, and is due to be sentenced Dec. 19, court records show.