2nd gang member flips in '09 Elgin murder

So much for gang loyalty.

The second of three Elgin men charged in the fatal shooting of a Rochelle woman took a plea deal Friday allowing him to testify against a fellow gang member in exchange for a reduced prison term.

Manith Vilayhong, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 30, 2009, killing of 22-year-old Paola Rodriguez in Elgin. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but the term will be reduced to 20 if he testifies against the suspected gunman, 20-year-old Tony Rosalez, prosecutors said.

Vilayhong is the second co-defendant charged in the gang-related shooting to turn on Rosalez. In August, Raul Perez-Gonzalez, 19, took a deal identical to the one Vilayhong struck Friday.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams said Vilayhong was acting as a gang “governor when he instructed Rosalez to open fire on Rodriguez's car from the passenger side of a Ford Expedition shortly before 10 p.m. on the 600 block of Raymond Street.

Authorities said the shooting followed a heated exchange involving rival street gangs outside a fast-food restaurant on Bluff City Boulevard. Rodriguez was shot in the head as Perez-Gonzalez pulled the Ford Expedition alongside, prosecutors said.

“(Vilayhong) was in the back seat behind, telling the shooter to shoot gang members they thought were in the other car, Sams said. “He's responsible for the crime as much as the shooter himself.

Neither Vilayhong's attorneys nor one of his relatives would comment as they left court. An aunt of the victim also declined to comment.

Perez-Gonzalez and Vilayhong had faced up to 60 years in prison, plus an additional 15 years because a firearm was involved, if convicted at trial. Sams said their sentences will still be cut 20 years the minimum possible if Rosalez happens to plead guilty.

Rosalez's attorney, Liam Dixon, said his client still plans to go to trial.

“Obviously, we're not happy they're trying to get a better sentence on the back of my client, Dixon said.

Rosalez returns to court Oct. 21.