A man who appealed his sentence for fatally stabbing an elderly World War II veteran during a home invasion in west suburban Aurora will still spend most of his life in prison.
Hector Mauricio was initially sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to stabbing 83-year-old Roscoe Ebey 36 times during a 2007 break-in at Ebey’s home, the Beacon-News previously reported.
He appealed, arguing the court placed too much emphasis on Ebey’s character when considering the sentence. The appellate court agreed, and ordered he be resentenced.
Judge Susan Clancy Boles ordered Mauricio to serve 55 years in prison at a hearing Friday, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said.
The state had originally sought the death penalty until it was abolished in Illinois early in 2011, the state’s attorney’s office said.
Mauricio, 28, of Aurora, must serve 100 percent of the new sentence, and will receive credit for the 7 1/2 years already spent behind bars, the state’s attorney’s office said.
“Roscoe Ebey lived an exceptional life as a soldier, a family man and neighbor. Although it is unfortunate that his family had to relive his murder yet again, we appreciate the opportunity to seek justice for him one final time,” State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said in a statement.
