A second suspect was charged with murder Friday in the fatal beating of a south suburban VFW commander killed while depositing organization funds at a bank in November.

Steve Smith, 25, of 1728 W. Steuben in Chicago was charged Friday with one count each of first-degree murder and robbery, according to Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.

He is the second person charged with the November death of Bill Burtner, 65, of the 10500 block of South Harding Avenue.

Jerry Brown, 27, of 1140 W. 104th Pl., is being held without bond on the same charges, Simonton said. He pleaded innocent on Dec. 29.

The pair are accused of robbing Burtner, commander of Midlothian VFW Post 2580, outside the A.J. Smith Federal Bank branch at 14757 S. Cicero Ave. in Midlothian on Nov. 16, 2009.

Burtner was depositing money from the post and proceeds from a fundraiser for World War II veterans when he was attacked from behind, according to a police report.

One suspect knocked Burtner down and took about $1,700 in cash, then got in a black Ford Mustang convertible and sped away, according to police.

Police believe Brown, who was taken into custody the day of the robbery, was the car’s driver.

Burtner, who was undergoing treatment for cancer, was initially treated at a hospital for broken ribs and an injured knee, then released later that night. He died in his sleep two days later and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide.

Smith will appear for a bond hearing at 9 a.m. Saturday in Room 104 of the Markham Courthouse, Simonton said. Brown is scheduled for a status hearing on Feb. 19.

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