Bolingbrook man gets 60 years for 2010 Oak Brook slaying
Jerry Hudson answered a “temporary emotional telephone call with permanent deadly force” when he shot his unarmed ex-wife six times on Jan. 1, 2010, a DuPage County judge said.
Judge Daniel Guerin on Tuesday sentenced the 51-year-old Bolingbrook man to 60 years in prison for the murder to be followed by three years probation. With credit for the 833 days he's already served, Hudson stands to be released when he is 109 years old.
Guerin said he did not believe statements Hudson made that he killed his former wife, 45-year-old Melissa Bridgewater, because he loved her too much.
“Those six shots were fired for jealousy, vengeance, anger, hostility, contempt and your desire to control her life,” Guerin said. “You answered feelings from a temporary emotional telephone call with permanent deadly force. That's the problem.”
A DuPage jury deliberated less than two hours in February before convicting Hudson of first-degree murder.
During his trial, Hudson testified he acted in self-defense when he shot Bridgewater six times in the parking lot of a Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook where she'd spent the holiday with her new boyfriend.
Prosecutors said Hudson lured Bridgewater out of the hotel with a series of harassing and threatening phone calls.
Prosecutors said Hudson rammed a rental car into Bridgewater's vehicle as she backed out of a parking space, then ran to the driver's-side window and opened fire.
Bridgewater was shot twice in the left temple and three times in the back. Another bullet grazed her face.
Afterward, Hudson fled to Chicago, where he abandoned the rental car, threw his handgun into a canal, and went to a family member's home. He surrendered four days later.
Bridgewater's son, Lavar Bridgewater, told Guerin it's been difficult for the family to move on after losing someone who was a daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.
“My mother was not a perfect woman but I loved her and so did my family. No person should awaken to a tragedy such as this one. I am not a believer of crimes of passion,” Bridgewater said. “Love does not cause you to kill; hate kills. Mr. Hudson had no respect for my mother and no respect for her decisions. My mother was ready to move on with her life, to pursue happiness.”
Hudson briefly apologized Tuesday to both families for the strife he's caused and said he still struggles to understand it himself.
Outside court, Bridgewater's older sister, Patricia Bridgewater-Farrell and mother, Gladys Bridgewater, said they were satisfied with what they expect will be a life sentence for Hudson.
“I'm satisfied but it doesn't bring her back,” her mother said. “I still have to visit her in the cemetery.”