Two Teens Plead Not Guilty to Charges in Fatal Shooting

Two teens charged in connection to a shooting that killed a 17-year-old Chicago boy have entered not guilty pleas Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Mikah Darko, 17, was shot near 15th and Hanover streets and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Witnesses told police Darko was in the park when two men approached him and started shooting. 

The grand jury handed down an indictment for the five defendants on Friday, Nov. 30 in a Markham courtoom.

Rhonzell F. Ard, 17, of Chicago Heights, in custody on $2 million bond and Cortez Hurst, 18, also of Chicago Heights and in custody on $2 million bond are charged with felony mob action, unlawful use of a weapon, concealing and delivery of a weapon to a minor and armed violence.

Their three co-defendants are Joshua A. Dean, 19,; Derrell J. Edwards, 18, and Otis Pruitt, 19, -- all of Chicago. Those teens have been indicted on similar charges. They are scheduled for arraignment in Judge Michele Simmons' Markham courtroom on Thursday, Dec. 20.

Ard and Hurst appeared separately in Simmons' courtroom on Tuesday and are both represented by public defenders. Ard is representing by Assistant Public Defender Paul Laurent and John Wilson is Hurst's public defender.

Both attorneys declined comment after Tuesday's hearing.

Ard and Hurst and scheduled to appear back in court for status on Jan. 23.