Two plead guilty in fatal carjacking

ST. LOUIS -- Two of four men accused in a 2002 carjacking attempt that killed an Indiana man traveling with his family have pleaded guilty, days before pending trials for the other two suspects, including the alleged gunman.

Cortez Tolen, 19, the driver of the carjackers' vehicle, pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced charge of second-degree murder in return for a recommended 20-year sentence. Tolen also pleaded guilty to assault and armed criminal action.

Two days earlier, Marvin Woolfolk, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and armed criminal action, said Donald Tyson, an assistant St. Louis circuit attorney. Woolfolk, who faces a recommended sentence of 15 years, has agreed to assist prosecutors.

Sentencing for Tolen and Woolfolk is set for April 2.

Co-defendants Luther Jones, 24, and Robert Simmons, 19, are to go on trial Monday on charges of first-degree murder, assault and armed criminal action.

Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.

Authorities suspect that Jones was the gunman who fatally shot Gerardo Perez, 26, of Indianapolis, in the head about 4:30 a.m. Aug. 25, 2002, after the Perez family's 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle was cornered by the carjackers' vehicle near downtown.

Police said the family had driven here overnight to visit relatives and had gotten lost after getting off Interstate 70, moments before being confronted by suspected carjackers who police say wanted the SUV's wheel rims.

Perez, 26, was a passenger in the SUV driven by brother Jose Luis Perez, 30, who was wounded. Five other relatives, including Gerardo Perez's wife, also were in the vehicle.

Police said one of the attackers fired 11 shots with an assault rifle as Jose Perez tried to back away.