Former football star convicted in robbery
Philip Macklin should be playing pro football.
Instead, he'll be sidelined for six to 60 years in prison for his role in an Addison convenience store stickup.
Macklin, 27, was convicted Tuesday of armed robbery for the Aug. 28, 2006 crime.
He was not one of the two assailants who robbed a White Hen clerk, but prosecutors argued Macklin is accountable because he drove and provided the weapon, gloves and masks.
Macklin, once one of the country's top college football recruits, did not testify during his one-day trial. Police said he admitted driving the teens and planned to pick them up afterward had an officer not found them first.
Macklin denied any further involvement, but the two defendants testified Tuesday he gave them the .357-caliber revolver used in the stickup at 210 W. Fullerton Ave.
Defense attorney Kevin Kent questioned their credibility. Both initially implicated Macklin to police, but they were more evasive on the witness stand. Macklin's girlfriend also said she never saw him give them a gun.
"There are just too many versions of this to pick one and hold my client responsible," Kent said.
Police alleged Macklin orchestrated two White Hen armed robberies in August 2006. Freddie W. Evans, 16, of Maywood, and Jontel R. Smith, 17, of Forest Park, 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 Steven Knight painted Macklin as the ringleader who put the teens up to the crime. Initially, Macklin also was charged with compelling them to rob as a gang initiation, but prosecutors opted at trial to only pursue the more serious armed 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 1998-99 season during his senior year 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 allegations.
He has been in jail since his arrest Sept. 13, 2006. DuPage Associate Judge Mark Dwyer convicted him Tuesday after a short trial. He faces six to 60 years in prison because of his criminal history.