A Peoria man has been sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison for a 2024 shooting outside a downtown business that left another man dead.
Lacorles Edwards, 42, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Monday in front of Peoria County Chief Judge Katherine Gorman.
Edwards admitted to firing the shot that killed 45-year-old Sylvester Erving, saying he was acting in self defense during a physical altercation outside the Neon Bison bar.
A news release from the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office said second-degree murder applies because Edwards believed deadly force was justified, but evidence indicated that belief was not reasonable.
Edwards also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He was given a 20-year sentence for the murder charge and five years for the weapons offense.
