Chicago (AP) — A driver who escaped in a deadly shooting a few days before his death at President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013, was sentenced to 42 years in prison on Tuesday. I was told.
Driver, Kenneth Williams, Convicted in 2018 First-class murder case 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton shooting, That death Public protests about Chicago gun violence.. Two other teenagers were injured in the shooting.
Cook County Circuit Judge Diana Kenworthy ordered Williams to serve 35 years for the murder conviction and another seven years for the deteriorating battery on Tuesday.
Pendleton died a few days after playing as a majorette with a high school band at President Obama’s inauguration. The shooting scene is about a mile from Kenwood’s former president’s house on the South Side of Chicago.
Pendleton’s mother, Cleopatra Cowley, said in a statement about the impact on the victims that she and her family were still trying to rebuild their lives.
“Kenneth Williams is equally responsible for the physical death of our daughter, the death of her dreams, and the death of her children and grandchildren,” Cowley said before Williams was sentenced. It was.
Williams spoke to the Pendletons and expressed sympathy for their sorrow, but maintained his innocence.
“The deep sorrow and pain of your voice directed at me feels like a lot has been imposed on me in these situations,” Williams said.
Michelle Ward, a man convicted of shooting Pendleton and her friends In a park near their high school Sentenced from 2019 to 84 years In jail. Prosecutors said teens were innocent victims of years of gang wars..
Ward and Williams were arrested on Pendleton’s funeral day, Service attended by Michelle Obama, the first lady of the time.. Under cross-examination by an investigator Ward initially admitted to being an archer and stated that he acted on Williams’ orders...
Kenworthy said Williams was more than just an escape driver.
“They were looking for someone to shoot,” said the judge.
Williams faced up to 90 years in prison. Pendleton’s parents said they were happy with the ruling.