Downers Grove man gets 7½ years for armed robbery

The first of three men charged in the May 6 armed robbery of a Downers Grove woman in her driveway has been sentenced to prison.

Former Downers Grove North and South high school football standout Jamarrion King, 18, was sentenced to 7½ years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to armed robbery.

Assistant State's Attorney Robert Stanker said the three men, all from Downers Grove, were waiting in the woman's driveway when she returned home from work about 10:30 p.m. on May 6. Stanker said one of the other men was at the front door when the victim exited her vehicle and walked toward her home.

"The defendant came from behind and struck her in the head (with a pellet gun)," Stanker said. "And this was a lady doing nothing other than coming home from work."

The three fled after stealing the woman's cellphone.

Stanker read a letter to the court from the victim, who required four stitches to close the wound caused by the blow.

"I have lost my trust in others and feel uneasy around my own home," she wrote. "This has taken away my independence."

Stanker sought a 10-year sentence, calling it appropriate for a teen with no criminal history.

"He selected quite a doozy for his first offense," Stanker said.

King's attorney, Scott Kent, however argued for the minimum six-year sentence after several friends and family members spoke on King's behalf.

"He was 17 at the time of the crime. He was just a kid. He's just a kid now," Kent said. "He truly had no concept of the real ramifications of what they were going to do."

King, himself, told Judge John Kinsella that he still "cannot believe (he) was involved in the crime."

"I pray (the victim) can find a way to forgive me," King said. "And I apologize to everyone I betrayed who believe in me as a good person."

Kinsella said he was "baffled" how someone who was believed to be a "caring and thoughtful young man with such a bright future," found himself in King's situation.

"You should forever feel ashamed for what you did to that woman," Kinsella said. "What you did has a devastating effect of people. It doesn't go away."

Tallen Patrick Casey, 21, and Devonte Miles, 19, also face armed robbery charges in the case and have pending court dates.

Casey was charged with an additional count of armed robbery for allegedly robbing a man of his wallet while in a Westmont parking lot earlier in the day.

King, who has been held on $300,000 bail since his arrest, must serve half of his sentence and receives credit for 344 days served in county jail.