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Authorities: Murder suspect started fight in Lake County jail

A suspect in the July robbery and murder of a Lake Villa man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to new accusations that he started a fight in the Lake County jail.

Jordan L. Toney, 19, of Lake Villa Township, faces a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from the altercation with another inmate Nov. 15.

Toney and Buddy W. Johnson, 20, also of Lake Villa Township, are accused of the fatal July 21 beating of 58-year-old Jerry Griffith in an alley near Griffith's Grand Avenue home, authorities said.

Each faces up to life in prison if found guilty at a trial, which is scheduled for March. They remain held in the county jail on $5 million bail each. Authorities say Toney and Johnson spotted Griffith walking home through the alley about 10:31 p.m. July 21, after making a purchase at a local store. The pair initially robbed and assaulted Griffith with their hands and feet, before knocking him to the ground and dropping a heavy sandbag on his head, authorities said.

They did not know Griffith before the attack, authorities said. Police arrested Toney and Johnson the next day, declining to day what led them to suspect the pair.

Toney is due back in court Jan. 24, and Johnson is due back in court Jan. 17.

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