Former football standout gets 24 years for Addison robbery
Philip Macklin could be playing pro football.
Instead, he'll be sidelined in prison for his role in an Addison convenience store stickup.
DuPage Associate Judge Mark Dwyer sentenced him Thursday to 24 years in prison for the Aug. 28, 2006, crime.
Macklin, once one of the country's top college football recruits, faced six to 60 years in prison because of his past criminal history. He must serve half the term before being eligible for parole.
The 28-year-old former Maywood man was not one of the two assailants who robbed a White Hen clerk, but prosecutors argued he was accountable for putting two minors up to the crime. The clerk was not injured.
"He was the puppeteer," prosecutor Steven Knight said. "He supplied the gun, gloves, bandanas and the people to go inside and commit the robbery."
Macklin repeatedly has denied involvement, but two other defendants testified during his trial last year that he gave them the .357-caliber revolver used in the stickup at 210 W. Fullerton Ave. They said he drove them and had planned to pick them up afterward if a police officer had not found them first.
Defense attorney Kevin Kent questioned their credibility during the trial. Both initially implicated Macklin to police, but they were more evasive when testifying. Judge Dwyer found him guilty Nov. 13.
Authorities allege Macklin orchestrated two White Hen armed robberies in August 2006. Freddie W. Evans, 16, of Maywood, and Jontel R. Smith, 17, of Forest Park, both charged as adults, are serving six-year prison terms.
The gunman in the second stickup, William Chenault, 20, of Franklin Park, received a 15-year term. They are eligible for parole after serving half their sentences.
Prosecutors Mary K. Cronin and Knight painted Macklin as the ringleader. Initially, Macklin also was charged with compelling them to rob as a gang initiation, but prosecutors opted at trial to pursue only the more serious robbery offense.
Macklin was once one of the most sought-after high school players in recent Illinois history. If it weren't for his grades, he would have played linebacker for the University of Illinois after a successful prep career at Proviso East in Maywood.
ESPN featured him in a segment highlighting the top 24 recruits in the country, which included Jarrett Payton, Chris Simms, Jeff Faine, Tony Pape and Albert Haynesworth -- all of whom played in the NFL.
Macklin played more football while attending community colleges in Joliet and Palatine, but he was sidelined in late 2002 for holding up a Will County gas station clerk.
After his 2005 release from prison, Macklin rejoined Harper Community College's team, but he was injured and a short time later arrested for the Addison incidents while on parole. He's been in jail since Sept. 13, 2006.