Man Sentenced to 14.5 Years for 2023 Beverly Home Carjacking

Damarri Conner received nearly 15 years in prison for the violent crime caught on video, while co-defendant Kenneth Merritt awaits sentencing.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:03pm

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One of the two men who pled guilty to carjacking a woman in the driveway of her Beverly neighborhood home in 2023 has been sentenced to 14.5 years in prison. The brazen attack, which was captured on the victim's surveillance cameras, also involved the theft of another family vehicle.

Why it matters

Carjackings have been a persistent problem in Chicago, with the city seeing a spike in such violent crimes in recent years. This case highlights the serious consequences faced by perpetrators, as well as the importance of video evidence in prosecuting these types of offenses.

The details

Damarri Conner and Kenneth Merritt attacked the woman on November 2, 2023 as she arrived home in the 9300-block of South Pleasant Avenue. The two men stole the victim's car and also took the keys to another family vehicle, which they later stole as well. Both Conner and Merritt pled guilty to felony charges including aggravated vehicular carjacking with a firearm and armed robbery with a firearm.

  • Damarri Conner was sentenced on April 10, 2026.
  • Kenneth Merritt is set to be sentenced in June 2026.

The players

Damarri Conner

One of the two men who pled guilty to the 2023 carjacking and robbery in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago.

Kenneth Merritt

The second man involved in the 2023 carjacking and robbery, who is awaiting sentencing in June 2026.

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What’s next

Kenneth Merritt is scheduled to be sentenced in June 2026 for his role in the 2023 carjacking and robbery.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the serious legal consequences faced by perpetrators of violent carjackings in Chicago, where such crimes have become an ongoing challenge for law enforcement and the community.