By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – A man, who was only 18 when he was convicted of a double murder in Bloomington a quarter-century ago, says he was too young at the time to receive a life in prison sentence without hope for parole.
Michael Carlos, now 43, is presenting recent case law challenging the constitutionality of life sentences for young adults.
Carlos was convicted of shooting-to-death Jerome McDonald and Terry Williams at the now-shuttered Third Ward Club near downtown Bloomington in December 1992.
After a jury found Carlos guilty, he left his fate in the hands of trial judge Ron Dozier, who’s now retired.
Dozier spared Carlos the death penalty, and a life sentence was Dozier’s only other option.
According to Carlos, courts must give young adults the same considerations as juveniles when deciding whether to impose a life sentence.
The qualities that distinguish juveniles from adults, and make youths a protected class, do not disappear when someone turns 18, said Carlos.
McLean County Judge Casey Costigan has found Carlos presented sufficient arguments to hold a hearing on the matter, set for Oct. 31.
Court documents indicate Carlos is serving his sentence at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
