Elgin boy pleads not guilty to murder

An Elgin boy charged along with his mother in the November death of a 17-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to murder.

Lacorbek Benion, 16, of the 1300 block of Todd Farm Drive, was arraigned in front of Kane County Associate Judge Allen M. Anderson on three counts of first-degree murder in the Nov. 8, 2009 death of John W. Keyes III of Elgin.

Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams said he would seek an extended sentence of up to life in prison without parole if Benion is convicted. The standard term is 20 to 60 years.

Benion is accused of beating Keyes in the head with a baseball bat after Benion's mother drove her car into the victim, crushing him against an apartment building on the 200 block of Center Street, according to prosecutors and police. Keyes' relatives have said the killing happened a day after Benion and Keyes squabbled over a girl at a party.

On Thursday, Benion's attorney, Van Richards, said he would request a lower bond for his client at an April 16 hearing.

Also at Richards' request, the judge agreed to allow visits from Benion's uncle and grandparents at the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center in St. Charles, not far from the county jail where his mother, Timera D. Branch, 34, of Streamwood, is being held on two counts of first-degree murder.

"His mother is in custody, so she can't visit him," Richards said.

Benion was arrested in Arkansas last week after a four-month investigation culminated with a grand jury indictment on March 23.

Under his current bail, Benion would have to post $300,000 cash to be released.