Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Murder and 8 Years for Robbery While on Bail for Previous Felony Case
A judge handed down a 25-year prison sentence this week to Cartez McGary, 26, for the murder of 32-year-old Lesean Long in a dispute over marijuana, as well as an additional eight years for shooting another man during a robbery. Shockingly, McGary committed these crimes while he was out on bail for a felony case in 2021.
McGary pleaded guilty to the murder and firearm discharge during a robbery in a plea deal with Judge Joanne Rosado. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped the aggravated fleeing charge that McGary was facing at the time of both incidents.
The murder took place in the early hours of February 28, 2021, in the 9100 block of South Emerald. Long was at his girlfriend’s house when he received a call and went outside, only to be fatally shot by an assailant.
Shortly after the murder, McGary was involved in a robbery and shooting at a gas station in the 8100 block of South Halsted on St. Patrick’s Day. Surveillance footage captured McGary approaching the victim, pointing a gun at him, and demanding his belongings. Fortunately, the victim narrowly avoided being shot in the face when the bullet grazed his eyebrow. A struggle ensued, during which the victim managed to disarm McGary, who fled the scene.
Police were able to identify McGary through the gas station’s surveillance footage, his abandoned phone, and his license plate number. A handgun was also recovered at the scene.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the casings from the gas station shooting matched those found at the murder scene of Lesean Long. Additionally, officers who attempted to stop the gold Chrysler minivan after Long’s murder positively identified McGary as the driver.
When questioned by detectives, McGary claimed that Long owed him marijuana and that he shot Long in self-defense after seeing a gun in Long’s possession. However, no firearms were found near Long’s body.
At the time of Long’s murder, McGary was out on bail for the aggravated fleeing charge and the gas station shooting-robbery case. When authorities caught up with him, McGary attempted to flee by jumping out of a third-floor apartment window, resulting in severe leg injuries.
McGary’s sentencing serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of violent crimes and the importance of upholding the law to ensure justice for victims and their families.
