Ex-Con Charged With 2011 Murder Finally Stands Trial

An ex-convict charged with gunning down an innocent bystander during a gang fight went on trial Tuesday.

Jevon Lesley, 22, allegedly murdered 19-year-old Anthony Fearn in July 2011.

Lesley reportedly pulled out a gun and shot wildly during a gang fight outside Team Joliet KO Zone boxing club on Cass Street. Fearn, a Joliet West student who worked part time at Kohl’s and as an instructor at SUDA Mixed Martial Arts Academy, reportedly just happening to be standing at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Lesley was 18 at the time of the killing.

Lesley was charged with Fearn’s murder the following September. He was in prison at the time for unrelated crimes.

When Lesley was released from Jackson Correctional Center in February 2013, he was taken to the Will County jail and held in lieu of $2.5 million bond. He hasn’t been able to post for his release.

Lesley’s younger brother, 14-year-old Deont’e Lesley, was shot to death in January 2011. Deont’e Lesley was playing video games at home when the house was shot up by 27-year-old Vernon McCormick. Two other youths were wounded in the gun attack.

McCormick was out to avenge the slaying of a friend when he sprayed the Lesleys’ house with bullets. Deont’e Lesley, a junior high school student, was not involved in the earlier murder or McCormick’s gang feud.

McCormick was sentenced to 85 years in prison.