A Will County Circuit Court Judge on Monday sentenced a 19-year-old Joliet man to 42 years in prison for a May 1997 armed robbery in which two people were shot.
Judge Stephen D. White sentenced Leroy McAfee, who escaped from the Will County Courthouse in February after he was convicted of the Joliet supermarket robbery, to 14 years to be served consecutively for each of three offenses: the robbery and injuries to each victim. State law requires that McAfee serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, the judge said.
McAfee, who turned himself in to authorities this summer, was not prosecuted for his escape.
Before White pronounced sentence, McAfee said he was innocent of the charges. His escape, he said, was prompted by fear.
“I didn’t know nothing else to do but keep running,” he said.
“Justice was served,” Assistant State’s Atty. Gerald Woodcock said. “Considering the fact that two people were shot and grievously wounded for no reason. . . . I feel the sentence is appropriate.”
McAffee is expected to file an appeal, he said.
