Man accused of killing Hanover Park store worker to act as own lawyer

A man charged with killing a Hanover Park discount store employee may represent himself at trial, a DuPage County judge ruled Wednesday.

Despite lacking a law or even undergraduate degree, Jerry Lockhart is choosing to act as his own lawyer rather than be represented by a senior assistant public defender on first-degree murder and armed robbery charges.

The 41-year-old Hanover Park man and two co-defendants are accused of fleeing with $135 after repeatedly stabbing Vatsala Thakkar in the back 1:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008, inside the store she managed at 5662 Arlington Drive East.

Thakkar stumbled out the front door and collapsed, where a passer-by in the strip mall spotted her body and called 911. Doctors pronounced the 56-year-old grandmother dead shortly later.

Lockhart has about two years' college experience. After a lengthy warning, DuPage Circuit Judge John Kinsella ruled Wednesday he has the legal right to represent himself.

Senecca Berry, 17, is serving a 17-year prison term after he admitted committing armed robbery at the time of the slaying. He agreed to testify against Lockhart as part of the plea deal. Charges against Dewaun Tate, 19, still are pending.

Lockhart pleaded not guilty and remains in the DuPage County jail on a $2 million bond. He is due back in court June 23. A trial date has not been set yet.