A Chicago Heights man pleaded guilty earlier this month to the 2014 Round Lake Beach fatal shooting of a man who had been dating his sister, a deal that a Lake County prosecutor said will avoid a possible life sentence.
In a fairly rapid recent turn of events for a case that had been dragging, Jeremy Anderson, 38, was found restored to fitness after a period of mental health evaluation and treatment, and subsequently pleaded guilty April 10 to first degree murder, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Jim Newman.
Newman said that under a negotiated deal, in exchange for Anderson’s plea, he faces a term of between 30 and 50 years in prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 19. According to Newman, Anderson faced a possible sentencing of 45 years to life if he had been found guilty of the murder, along with a firearm enhancement for personally discharging the weapon in the slaying.
Anderson was charged with first-degree murder with the firearm enhancement after the Nov. 8, 2014, shooting of 31-year-old David Robinson.
He has been held in Lake County Jail in lieu of $3 million bail since his arrest, with the exception of time spent at a secure state mental health facility in Elgin.
Robinson was found unresponsive at about 9:15 p.m. on the night of the shooting in the 1400 block of Idlewild Drive, according to Round Lake Beach Police. He was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was pronounced dead.
Newman said that Robinson, who died of multiple gunshot wounds, had been in a dating relationship with Anderson’s sister.
After the shooting, Anderson fled Lake County and, after a manhunt was initiated, was eventually taken into custody in Gary and was returned to Illinois after waiving extradition.
Newman said Judge Mark Levitt found Anderson restored to fitness March 14, and approved the plea deal April 10.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 19.
Twitter @jimnewton5