William Strickland | Cook County sheriff's office
By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
A South Side man who gunned down his grandfather, allegedly at the urging of his grandmother, was sentenced to 40 years in prison Wednesday.
While Cook County Judge James Linn said it was sad that the adults in William Strickland’s life took him “down to the road of ruin,” he said Strickland had to take responsibility.
The 22-year-old didn’t make any comments before he was sentenced for killing his 72-year-old grandfather, also named William Strickland.
Janet Strickland | Cook County sheriff's office
The bench trial of Janet Strickland, 67, is expected to resume April 22 before Judge Linn.
William Strickland was convicted by a jury in February.
He shot his namesake grandfather six times in the back as the older man made his way outside their home to get on a bus for his weekly dialysis on March 2, 2013.
William Strickland | photo provided
The younger William Strickland, who lived with his grandparents in the 400 block of East 95th Street, used his grandfather’s weapon, prosecutors said.
Soon after the murder, the younger William Strickland used money he took from his grandfather’s wallet to buy a new phone, gym shoes and tattoos.