Man sentenced to 100 years for 2007 murder, battery

Online Staff Report

Michael Hardin, 30, was sentenced to 100 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm for the shooting death of Christopher Money and serious injury to Byron Sturdivant. The defendant was found guilty after a jury trial Feb. 5, 2010.

Nov. 21, 2007, Christopher Money and Byron Sturdivant were sitting in a pickup truck parked in the south parking lot of Kishwaukee Food & Liquor. Two men approached the vehicle and fired shots into the vehicle. A Metro Enforcement Officer was nearby, heard the shots and followed the suspects on foot. Upon reaching a fence, one suspect was stopped and apprehended while the other suspect, Hardin, jumped the fence and fled. Both occupants of the vehicle had been shot during the incident.

Christopher Money died as a result of the shooting. The surviving victim, Byron Sturdivant, and the captured suspect both identified Hardin as the shooter.

First-degree murder is a class M felony with a sentencing range of 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. However, because of the aggravating factor of personally discharging a firearm that proximately caused the death of another, the penalty range is increased to 45 years to natural life in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Aggravated battery with a firearm is a class X felony with a sentencing rage of six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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