$5 million bail for Evanston man in Lindenhurst fatal shooting, botched robbery
An Evanston man was ordered held on $5 million bail Wednesday for his role in a shooting death during a botched robbery of two guns at a Lindenhurst house, authorities said.
Michael J. Zachery, 23, is charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, accused of being an accomplice during the gun-sale-gone-bad on the 300 block of Teal Road at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The robbery resulted in the death of 34-year-old Joseph McHaney of Chicago, Lake County Coroner officials said Wednesday.
Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said Zachery was charged with murder because someone was killed while he was an accomplice in a forceable felony. Zachery went to Lindenhurst with McHaney knowing about the plan to steal the guns.
The gun sale remains under investigation, he said.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli said Zachery and McHaney contacted the Lindenhurst resident, whom he didn't identify, and told him they were interested in buying two rifle-style guns he had for sale. Covelli said the Major Crimes Task Force is trying to determine how long McHaney and Zachery were communicating with the homeowner before the gun sale meeting.
At the house, McHaney and the gun-seller went into a bedroom to complete the transaction, Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Daniel Lenzini said in bond court. A short time later, gunshots were heard from the bedroom, Lenzini said.
McHaney attacked the homeowner with a hammer and the homeowner shot McHaney, Lenzini said.
Zachery was held at gunpoint until police arrived by at least one of the two other people living in the house, Nerheim said. Zachery also pulled out a knife in the different room when the shooting took place, Nerheim said.
Zachery admitted to police that he and McHaney went to the house to steal the guns, Lenzini said in court.
The homeowner who was beaten with a hammer was taken to a hospital and later released. The cut caused by the attack required 20 staples to close, officials said.
Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said officials from his office were called to the house about 4:10 a.m. and that McHaney was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary autopsy results indicate McHaney died from injuries caused by gunshots, and toxicology results are pending.
Zachery did not have any known prior criminal cases against him, Lenzini said in court. But Covelli said McHaney was previously convicted on charges of aggravated battery with a weapon and attempted armed robbery for a crime in Evanston in 2003. McHaney served at least 7 years in prison after his conviction, Covelli said.