Nearly a decade has passed since Cook County Judge Raymond Myles was tragically killed outside his South Side home during a robbery gone wrong. As the patriarch of his family and an esteemed member of the Cook County judiciary, Myles was a significant figure in both personal and professional spheres.
During a hearing preceding the sentencing of his convicted killer, Myles’ family shared memories of him as a devoted father and dedicated jurist. His son, Raymond Myles Jr., recalled learning of his father’s death while stationed in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. Despite his father’s numerous accolades, Myles Jr. treasured knowing him simply as ‘Dad.’ “He passed down wisdom and values to me, inherited from his own father,” he shared emotionally. Myles Jr. expressed a longing for one more conversation and a chance to express his love directly.
Raymond Myles met his untimely death in a shooting at his home in 2017. Many family members, nearly ten years later, struggle to comprehend the loss. “No one should endure the sorrow that we’ve faced,” said his sister, Vernell Tibbs, during her victim impact statement. “I could empty the ocean with a thimble before I understand why this happened,” she added, emphasizing her brother’s profound importance to the family.
About 30 friends and relatives of Myles attended the hearing at Cook County Criminal Courthouse in Bridgeview. Earl Wilson was convicted earlier this year for murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and armed robbery for the events on April 10, 2017, in the 9400 block of South Forest Avenue. Wilson’s co-defendant, Joshua Smith, previously pleaded guilty to armed robbery and received a 35-year sentence. DuPage County Judge Jeffrey McKay managed the trial to avoid potential conflicts, given Myles’ connections within the Cook County judiciary.
The murder of Myles—the first of a judge in the local area in over 30 years—sparked shock among colleagues and initiated a comprehensive investigation. On the morning of the incident, Myles and his girlfriend Venita Parrish, were preparing to go to the gym before a gunman confronted them. Misunderstanding the contents of Parrish’s bag as containing cash, Wilson attempted robbery. Despite Parrish’s call to 911 warning of someone lurking, she was shot in the leg during the ordeal.
“He told me to shut up,” Parrish testified about Wilson during trial proceedings. Sentencing is due for mid-November, and Wilson’s attorney, along with prosecutors, agreed on a life sentence, with prosecutors seeking an enhancement to ensure he remains incarcerated permanently.
Another courtroom appearance featured retired Cook County Judge Nicholas Ford, a peer of Myles. “He strove to improve young lives,” Ford stated about his colleague’s humanitarian efforts, noting his impact on many young people. Myles’ niece, Tamika Tibbs, recalled being called “Miss A” by him due to her stellar grades, a nickname that instilled pride and motivation in her.
Before the conclusion of the hearing, Wilson denied involvement tearfully: “I did not kill Mr. Myles,” he stated insistently. Despite his claims, the legacy of Judge Myles as a valued community member and family figure endures.
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