Men plead not guilty to upgraded charges

Three Waukegan men originally charged with attempted murder for shooting a man they were robbing pleaded not guilty to upgraded charges Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Michael Cook, 19, Christopher Davis, 18, and Darrius Gunn, 18, are now charged with first-degree murder in the Feb. 16 death of Andres Marin, 42, of Waukegan.

Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz said the three and Ja'Frai Bradshaw, 19, attacked Marin on around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 22 as Martin was sitting in his car in the 2000 block of Western Avenue in Waukegan.

The four decided to rob Marin, Fisz said, and Cook fired a sawed-off .22 caliber rifle into Marin's abdomen as they turned to flee.

Witnesses identified Gunn as one of the men involved in the shooting, and police had all four suspects in custody within 10 hours of the shooting.

All four are also charged with armed violence, armed robbery and aggravated battery with a firearm.

Bradshaw is scheduled to appear in court May 10 for arraignment on the new charge, Fisz said.

Cook is being held on $2 million bond, Gunn and Bradshaw are being held on $1.5 million bonds, and Davis on a $750,000 bond.

Fisz said all four face prison sentences of between 20 and 60 years if convicted of the charges.