Sentencing is scheduled Monday for Anthony Brito of Waukegan, who was convicted earlier this year for the fatal December 2012 shooting of Waukegan resident Randy Hardy.
Brito, 22, was convicted by a jury Jan. 12 on multiple counts of first-degree murder, following a weeklong trial in Lake County Circuit Court. He faces a sentence ranging from a minimum of 45 years in prison to a maximum of life in prison.
According to authorities, Brito, along with Steven Gee and Armando Sanders, both of Waukegan, went to Hardy’s Berwick Boulevard apartment on Dec. 13, 2012, intending to steal marijuana. Instead, Brito shot Hardy four times during an ensuing scuffle.
Sanders and Gee both pleaded guilty to reduced charges prior to Brito’s trial.
In closing arguments during the trial, Assistant State’s Attorney Ari Fisz highlighted Brito’s confession to Waukegan police, which was viewed by the jury. Evidence at trial also included expert testimony that DNA found on a bandanna allegedly used as a mask was consistent with Brito’s DNA and gunshot residue was found on Brito and his clothing.
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Fisz said the gun, latex gloves, Brito’s hooded sweatshirt and other items were found in a dumpster that Brito had identified in his statement to police.
Defense attorney Gillan Gosch repeatedly alleged that Waukegan police detectives used improper and coercive methods to land a confession, including lying, interviewing murder suspects at times without using a video camera as required by law and allegedly making promises to Sanders that he and Gee could go home if he implicated Brito as the killer.
Gosch also said there were considerable differences between statements given by eyewitnesses at the time of the shooting and in their testimony at trial.
The sentencing hearing Monday morning will be held before Judge David Brodsky, who presided over the trial.
@jimnewton5