Teens Charged in McClendon Case

Investigation continues, news conference scheduled Monday

Two teenagers will face criminal charges in connection with last week's deaths of Milton and Ruby McClendon, parents of CLTV host Garrard McClendon, according to Lake County prosecutor Bernard Carter. 

The investigation continues but a source told the Chicago Tribune a judge has approved charges against the young men for robbery, burglary and confinement as authorities pursue first-degree murder charges. 

A news conference with Hammond police is scheduled for Monday afternoon. 

Milton McClendon, 78, and his wife, Ruby, 76, were found shot to death in a Cook County forest preserve Monday near Calumet City.  Their deaths were ruled homicides by the Cook County Medical Examiner.

Two days later, the couple's 1997 Cadillac was left abandoned on the Dan Ryan Expressway and witnesses said they saw two men fleeing the car.

Sources told the paper that both suspects were pointing to each other as the gunman who killed the McClendons. 

Garrard McClendon, who has said he does not hold any anger toward the people responsible, was glad to hear authorities were moving so quickly on the case. 

"We want justice, in an efficient, speedy way," McClendon told the Tribune Saturday. "Whoever did it, that's who we want to answer for it." 

Services for  the McClendons begin with a 9 a.m. visitation Monday at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 1101 Park Drive, Munster, Ind. The funeral is set for 11 a.m.

Contact Us