Man gets 20 years for Carpentersville murder

A Carpentersville man was sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the murder of a man in 2023.

Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler sentenced Jimmy Medina, who turned 20 on Friday, for the first-degree murder of Anthony Aragon Jr.

Tegeler convicted Medina in June of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Medina chose to have his trial heard by a judge rather than a jury.

Medina was a front-seat passenger in a Jeep driven by his cousin, Alan Medina, on Oct. 25, 2023, according to prosecutors. They were called to the 0-100 block of Robin Road in Carpentersville by another cousin, who reported he had been attacked and wanted help. That man told the Medinas to bring a gun.

Shots were fired from the Jeep at a vehicle containing five people. Aragon, 19, died of a gunshot to his head. Two other people were injured.

Medina did not fire the gun, but he is accountable due to his participation. In Illinois, a person can be convicted if they solicit, aid, abet, agree or attempt to aid another person plan or commit a crime.

Medina read a brief statement, apologizing to the victim’s family. “I see your tears,” he said. “I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.”

Tegeler said he believed Medina had potential to be rehabilitated in prison, noting that Medina had no criminal history, was employed at the time, and was doing well in school.

But “you had no real reason to go over there (to the fight),” Tegeler said. “This case was absolutely preventable on everybody’s part. You inserted yourself into a place you didn’t need to go.”

Tegeler also sentenced Medina to six years for the attempted murder.

Medina will have to serve 100% of the first-degree murder sentence, followed by 85% of the attempted murder sentence, before he is eligible for parole.

Alan Medina pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced. Dec. 14.

ssarkauskas@dailyherald.com