Suspect in Northside murder answers to charges 13 years later
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The suspect in a 13-year-old carjacking and murder pleaded not guilty in court Friday. Chris Whitt, 34, pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and aggravated robbery charges.
A grand jury indicted Whitt and Darris DeVaughn Friday for the death of John Harris in Northside in 2007. DeVaughn was 17-years-old at the time of the murder.
Only Local 12 cameras were rolling when Cincinnati Police homicide detectives took Chris Whitt to jail on Thursday. The Fugitive Apprehension Squad helped with the arrest. The 34-year-old had nothing to say as he was led away in handcuffs.
Harris was murdered in front of his home on Fergus Street during a robbery. He was a father and worked as a plumber.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said Harris' gold chain, gold teeth, bank and ID cards were all missing.
Police found Harris' Monte Carlo abandoned at the entrance to Spring Grove Cemetery a short time later. The bank and ID cards were found at the intersection of Chase Avenue and Chambers Street.
In September of this year, the evidence was reexamined by a CPD criminalist leading to the arrests.
Assistant prosecutor David Wood said in court that Whitt is tied to the crime through forensic evidence.
Whitt's attorney said his client absolutely denies any involvement in Harris' murder.
A judge ordered Whitt held on $1.25 million bond.