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Man charged in cabbie shooting pleads not guilty

A Waukegan man accused of shooting a cabdriver five times in a robbery attempt the wounded driver foiled pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Darryel Garner, 38, faces a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Assistant State's Attorney Eric Kalata said Garner, of the 1000 block of Westmoreland Road, was a passenger in a cab driven by Patrick Foster, 45, of Park City in the early morning hours of March 13.

As Foster was driving Garner to an address in Zion, Garner pulled out a handgun and shot Foster five times in the face, neck and back, Kalata said.

Despite his wounds, Foster jumped into the back seat and pinned down Garner while he called police, Kalata said.

Foster is being treated at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and is expected to survive.

Kalata said attempted murder normally carries a prison sentence of six to 30 years, but, because he used a gun, Garner faces an enhanced penalty of 25 years to life.

Aggravated battery with a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 30 years, Kalata said, and Garner could be sentenced to up to 15 years for aggravated discharge of a firearm.

Associate Judge Christopher Stride scheduled a trial of the case for June 11. Stride ordered Garner, who is held on $750,000 bond, to appear in court May 3.

Darryel Garner of Waukegan