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Elgin man gets 10 years in prison for refusing to testify

A judge sentenced a 21-year-old Elgin man Thursday to 10 years in prison for contempt of court for refusing to testify in a gang shooting trial.

Raul Perez-Gonzalez, of the 900 block of Jefferson Avenue, pleaded guilty in summer 2010 to his role in the shooting death of Paola Rodriguez, 22, of Rochelle, in January 2009 in Elgin.

The deal was for a 20-year sentence to testify in the murder of Rodriguez, who had a 5-month-old son, but the state could increase the prison term to 35 years if Perez-Gonzalez didn’t take the stand. He didn’t testify, and the state slapped him with contempt charges.

Perez-Gonzalez will serve the 10-year sentence after his 35-year murder sentence is completed.

He can have the contempt sentence cut in half for good behavior, but he must serve 100 percent of the murder sentence.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Greg Sams said Perez-Gonzalez did offer a statement before being sentenced by Judge James Hallock.

“It seems to me that the only time (Perez-Gonzalez) wants to address the court is when it benefits him,” Sams said afterward.

Another gang member, Manith Vilayhong, 26, of the 400 block of Prospect Street, Elgin, pleaded guilty and flipped on his co-defendant in exchange for a 20-year sentence. In February, a jury convicted Tony Rosalez, 21, of the 400 block of Sherman Avenue, Elgin, in the murder of Rodriguez and he was sentenced to 35 years.

Rodriguez was shot in the head the night of Jan. 30, 2009, as she drove on the 600 block of Raymond Street.

Prosecutors said two rival Elgin street gang members in SUVs in a liquor store parking lot in the 500 block of Bluff City Boulevard flashed gang signs at each other and Rodriguez was sitting in a Pontiac Grand Prix with a friend near one of the SUVs.

A car chase involving the three vehicles ensued before Rodriquez was killed.

Passengers in the SUV, which was driven by Perez-Gonzalez, thought gang members were in the Grand Prix.

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