Chicago, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A Calumet City man has been sentenced to two consecutive natural life sentences for the murder of two men who were shot to death outside a bar in the south suburb, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Jeremy Rodriguez, 29, was previously convicted by a jury on two counts of First Degree Murder for the shooting deaths of Michael Johnson, 24, and Edward White, 22, both of Chicago.
According to prosecutors, Rodriguez was part of a group of patrons who were exiting the Calumet City bar in the early morning hours of May 20, 2009 when the murders occurred. The group was gathering near the front entrance of the building in the 400 block of Torrence Avenue when Rodriguez began talking aggressively.
According to prosecutors, Johnson, who was the lounge manager, exited the building and asked the group to leave the area. Rodriguez pulled out a handgun and shot Johnson in the chest and then fired the gun again, striking White in the back. Rodriguez fled the scene but was arrested a short time later.
Rodriguez appeared at a hearing today at the Cook County Courthouse in Markham before Judge Frank Zelezinski who imposed the consecutive natural life sentences.
State’s Attorney Alvarez thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Cheryl Schroeder and Joseph Kosman as well as the Calumet City Police Department and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force for their work on this case.
