The sentencing hearing for a now 21-year-old Harvey man, convicted of murder in March in the death of 19-year-old Charles Baird, of New Lenox, began Monday, but a final decision was delayed.

The defendant, who was 16 when Baird was shot and killed at a New Lenox gas station, appeared in Will County Court Monday where the hearing was continued so his sister could be in the courtroom with him. Because the defendant was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, the Daily Southtown is not naming him.

Before Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak continued the hearing, Charles Baird’s mother, Jennifer Baird, addressed the defendant.

She recalled May 2020, when New Lenox police showed up at their home at 2 a.m. to tell them their son had been shot outside the Circle K gas station.

Baird was a regular customer at the store. While he was in the gas station, a stolen black Santa Fe parked next to his vehicle, and an individual attempted to open Baird’s locked passenger door, according to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.

“We later found out that it was a carjacking attempt and when the thug pulled a gun, Charlie ran for his life and was shot in the back as he fled,” Jennifer Baird said. “Only a monster without a soul would commit such an act.”

Due to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family couldn’t be with Charles at Silver Cross Hospital, where he fought for his life.

“The next few days Charlie fought hard for the damage you caused,” his mom said. “All for a car you didn’t get to steal, you took a man’s life with absolutely no remorse and no regret whatsoever.”

Charles was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died May 13, 2020. There his family had a chance to say their goodbyes.

“As he took his final breath, a tear rolled down his cheek,” Jennifer Baird told the defendant. “I must believe that he knew we were all there by his side. We shouldn’t have been put in this situation, but since you have no regard for life, there we were living a nightmare.”

“No mother and family should have to endure such senseless pain as you afflicted on our family,” she said. “No mother should have to have a memorial in her home for the pain you afflicted on our family. No mother should have to have her son’s remains in an urn in our home, but we do. Charlie was only 19 years old.”

Charles Baird. (David Baird)

During Monday’s hearing, two officers testified about dealing with the defendant on two separate occasions in the months before the shooting. Both incidents involved a stolen vehicle and subsequent car crashes, the officers said.

During the defendant’s time at the Will County River Valley Juvenile Detention Center, he got into several fights, according to Superintendent Shannon McCormick.

His behavior included fighting with residents, threatening to physically assault a nurse, damaging the facility with gang graffiti and fighting with staff, McCormick said.

Sean Audy with the Will County sheriff’s office said the defendant also caused trouble at the Will County jail, including threatening a deputy, being insubordinate and uncooperative.

At the start of Monday’s hearing, the defendant asked to represent himself saying that he needed a new trial due to ineffective counsel.

Appearing in a yellow jail-issued jumpsuit, he said he believed he could prove there were numerous errors during the trial, including eyewitness testimony that is not credible and a line of questioning that was prejudiced toward him.

Bertani-Tomczak asked the defendant if he graduated high school and if he had any legal experience. The defendant responded “no” to both questions.

Bertani-Tomczak allowed him to represent himself, but said she would keep the public defender’s office ready.

After making his arguments to the judge, he agreed to allow the Will County public defender’s office to continue representing him.

Bertani-Tomczak said the defendant had proper representation during the six-day bench trial held in March. She denied a motion to reconsider the case.

Public defender Jason Strzelecki said Monday’s sentencing hearing didn’t go as anticipated because the defendant was trying to represent himself. He asked for a continuance so the defendant’s sister could have the opportunity to appear.

Jennifer Baird said it was frustrating.

“He likes to stall,” she said, while walking out of the courtroom. “He’s been stalling for five years.”

Dave Baird, left, watches as his wife, Jennifer Baird, waters flowers Aug. 29, 2020, at a memorial where their son, Charlie, was fatally shot May 11, 2020, in New Lenox. Charlie Baird’s friend, Nathan McAvoy, right, made the wooden cross that anchors the display at a Circle K gas station. (Ted Slowik/Daily Southtown)

The family plans to attend the new sentencing date whenever it is set, she said.

During her victim impact statement, Jennifer Baird said she’s lived through hell the last five years. She said they came to every pre-trial hearing because Charlie has a family that loves him very much.

“I will sleep a little easier knowing you’ll be locked up in a small cage,” she told the defendant. “There’s a special place in hell for you, but for now I’ll settle for your hell being on earth.”

During the trial, video surveillance from the gas station showed Charles Baird turn to run back toward the store when the defendant pulled out a handgun and shot him in the back. The defendant reentered the Santa Fe and fled the scene, the state’s attorney’s office said.

During the investigation, officers discovered the Santa Fe had been stolen out of Lockport. The state’s attorney’s office said the defendant’s DNA was located in the vehicle.

Because the defendant was a juvenile at the time, he may be eligible for a sentence of no more than 40 years in prison, the state’s attorney’s office said.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/25/mother-new-lenox-shooting-victim/