Lake Co. stabbing suspect held on $3 mil. bond

An Ingleside man accused of stabbing another man to death in an argument over marijuana was ordered held on $3 million bond Tuesday.

James Lewis, 42, faces a sentence of between 20 and 60 years in prison if convicted of killing John Herres, 19, on Feb. 14.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Ken Lorenz said Herres, of Riverwoods, was among several people gathered that afternoon at Lewis' home in the 26000 block of Route 134.

Lewis and some other people left the house to buy a quarter-ounce of marijuana for Herres and some of his friends, Lorenz said.

When Lewis handed over the marijuana, Lorenz said, a person in Herres' group accused Lewis of taking some of the marijuana for himself.

Herres is believed to have intervened in the argument, Lorenz said, and Lewis drew a 5-inch pocket knife and stabbed Herres once in the abdomen.

Herres was airlifted to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where he died following surgery.

Lewis, who remained at the scene while others called police, was taken into custody by Lake County sheriff's deputies.

On Tuesday, Lewis told Associate Judge Christopher Stride he is a construction worker who has been unemployed since before Christmas.

Stride appointed the county public defender's office to represent Lewis and ordered him to appear in court again March 10.

Herres was a swimming instructor and lifeguard at Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills and also was a student at Libertyville High School.