Crime & Safety
South Side Alderman's Grandson Charged With Murder In Kentucky Fatal Shooting
Kenneth Austin, the 28-year-old grandson of Ald. Carrie Austin, was arrested Feb. 8 in Chicago and is awaing extradition in Cook Co. Jail.
CHICAGO, IL — The grandson of a Chicago alderman faces felony charges in a robbery that turned into a fatal shooting last month in Kentucky, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Kenneth Austin, 28, was arrested Feb. 8 on a fugitive warrant from Louisville, Kentucky, and charged with first-degree murder, robbery in the first degree, possession of a handgun by a felon and tampering with physical evidence stemming from the January incident, the report stated. He's currently waiting extradition in Cook County Jail.
Austin, whose grandmother is Ald. Carrie Austin (34th Ward), and at least one other person are suspects in the death of a 25-year-old man who was shot to death in the chest during a robbery Jan. 30 in Louisville, according to the report.
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Carrie Austin told the Tribune last week that her grandson was only wanted for questioning and that the family was still trying to get more information about the case.
"My grandson ain't killed nobody," the city lawmaker told the Tribune. "People always say, 'You know, he could do that.' No, not this one. … But that has to be proven."
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Kenneth Austin also faces attempted aggravated robbery charges in Chicago after he and another suspect were accused trying to rob two people last year in the Bridgeport neighborhood, the report stated. He is scheduled to appear in court for that case in March.
In 2010, Kenneth Austin pleaded guilty to felony theft in connection with conspiring with a home nurse and stealing more than $2,000 from a woman in the nurse's care, the Tribune reports. He also was charged with theft stemming from claims he scammed a retiree out of money, an allegation that generated criticism for his grandmother, who hired Kenneth Austin to her staff as a legislative aide in 2008 after charges had been filed, the report added.
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