Gary, Indiana

From the Gary Post-Tribune of August 6, 2005

Two admit taking part in foiled robbery

The two teenagers who were with Jerome Litt when he was shot and killed last Saturday have been charged with attempted robbery, police said Friday.

Litt, 21, was shot to death about 1:45 a.m. as he and two companions pointed guns into a car and demanded cash from the four occupants, the probable cause affidavit states.

Alvin R. Glasper, 19, and Benjamin Woodard Jr., 17, are both in custody, Detective James Bond said.

They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of the charge.

Both teens admitted participating in the predawn robbery in the 1300 block of Rutledge Street.

One of the robbery victims, Michael Smith, told police he fired at the assailants after they opened the car door, pointed guns and said, “Give it up,” the affidavit states. He already had given them $680, but the masked men continued their threats, the affidavit states.

Lake County prosecutors are reviewing Smith’s statement and are expected to decide Monday if Smith’s actions were justified when he killed Litt, police said.

“The subjects had raised their guns again ... 'like they were about to shoot us,’ ” the affidavit states.

Smith, who was sitting in Travis Sanders’ car, grabbed Sanders’ gun to shoot, and Woodard said he dropped the “brown long gun” he was carrying and ran as Smith began firing, the affidavit states.

Glasper said he served only as a “lookout” for his companions, court records state.

Antoine Dolton, 23, was shot to death late Wednesday two blocks from the robbery site. Bond said it appears his death was retaliation for Litt’s death.