advertisement

Getaway driver in fatal Bensenville holdup pleads guilty to lesser charge

The getaway driver during the 2014 robbery and fatal shooting of a Bensenville convenience store clerk pleaded guilty to a single, lesser count Wednesday, drastically reducing his time behind bars.

Tremayne Davis, 25, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted armed robbery and received an eight-year prison sentence, of which he will serve half. Davis previously faced life in prison, charged with the Jan. 9, 2014, murder of Hussein Saghir.

As part of his plea deal, Davis must testify in future trials related to the case. He also filmed a video account of the night's events from behind closed doors in the judge's conference room.

Prosecutors said Saghir and another employee were closing the store at 235 W. Irving Park Road just before 6 p.m. when they were confronted by Kenneth Bardlett and Stephan Russell. Saghir refused to re-enter the store, apparently because he wanted to protect his 3-year-old nephew who was inside. After a brief struggle, authorities said Russell shot and killed Saghir.

Authorities say Davis drove the van in which he and the two other men traveled to the Sam's Tobacco and Food Mart on Irving Park Road.

Russell is still awaiting trial and is next due in court on Feb. 26.

Prosecutors said Bardlett, who has previous convictions for unlawful use of a weapon and reckless conduct, confessed to planning the armed robbery and, during multiple police interviews, identified Russell as the gunman and Davis as the driver of the getaway vehicle.

Russell remains held on $2.5 million bail charged with first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery and obstruction of justice.

Russell is also charged with four counts of harassing a family member of a witness and two counts of intimidation using physical harm. He's accused of throwing a bottle at Bardlett's mother and threatening to kill Bardlett's sister.

Bardlett pleaded guilty in March 2014 to aggravated battery with a firearm and agreed to testify against the other men. In exchange, prosecutors said they would seek no more than a 20-year prison sentence.

Davis' sentence will be imposed at the conclusion of Russell's trial. Davis currently has 720 days credit toward the four years he must serve once his sentence is imposed.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.