Not guilty verdict in 2007 Carpentersville gang murder

A Kane County jury deliberated eight hours Friday in the case of 2007 Carpentersville gang murder before rendering a not-guilty verdict.

Henry Black, 20, of the 0-99 block of Birch Street, Carpentersville, was accused of shooting and killing rival a gang member, 17-year-old Aaron Razo, on Aug. 2, 2007, near the Golfview Elementary School.

Black faced 45 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder with a handgun.

Now, after more than three years behind bars waiting for trial, he is a free man.

During the five-day trial before Judge Allen Anderson, prosecutors argued that Black was one of four passengers in a Chevy Suburban driven by a fellow gang member who wanted to retaliate because he was chased earlier that day by members of an enemy gang. But instead of a fistfight at the park at 7 p.m. that night, prosecutors argued that Black pulled out a 9 mm pistol and fired seven shots at the enemy gang, killing Razo.

The SUV driver sped off and dropped Black off at his home before police pulled the vehicle over.

Police arrested Black a short time later and found a navy blue stretch glove that could be worn on either hand, and found the gun in Black’s sister’s bedroom during a search a few days afterward, prosecutors said.

Witnesses said the shooter was wearing dark gloves.

Tests from the state crime lab tied the gun to shell casings and bullet fragments found at the scene.

During the trial, gang members from both sides testified that Black pulled the trigger.

“There are inescapable facts that show it was the defendant was the shooter,” Assistant State’s Attorney David Belshan argued. “All these things add up and add up and add up and add up and point to one person. That is beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Defense attorney Lisa Damico questioned the credibility of the gang members, suggesting they were trying to pin the killing on Black.

She also questioned why Carpentersville Police Sgt. Matt Ostrom didn’t find the gun during the initial search of Black’s parent’s 900-square-foot ranch home and said it was possible that someone else could have planted it there.

“(Ostrom) didn’t miss this,” said Damico, holding up the gun for the jury to see. “It wasn’t there.”

Damico also stressed that tests did not show gunshot residue on Black’s hands or clothes even though he was arrested within hours of the shooting.