Jacksonville, FL — A judge has affirmed life in prison sentences for two men who were convicted of killing toddler Aiden McClendon on Jacksonville’s Eastside in 2016.
Henry Hayes and Kquame Richardson were convicted of murder for the shooting death of the toddler during a gang shootout.
Aiden was shot while riding in his car seat in his family’s car.
During a sentencing hearing earlier this month, Richardson briefly addressed Aiden's family, saying he did not kill the toddler and offering to take a lie detector test.
“I’m sorry for y’all’s loss. Keep a positive mindset,” Richardson told the family.
The judge at sentencing said both men are eligible for a sentence review after 25 years.
Prosecutors say Hayes and Richardson were targeting one of Aiden’s family members- who belonged to a rival gang- as part of a long running dispute.
Aiden and his mother had just picked up his great-grandmother from work, when shots were fired. Aiden was sitting in his car seat when he was hit in January 2016, and his mother drove him to the hospital, but he died as a result of his injuries.
Men convicted of killing McClendon will have to pay restitution for his funeral. They also have 6500 in prosecution costs.
— Varisa Lall Dass 🌊 (@vldass) August 23, 2018
The judge said to each man convicted in the killing, “There is a light at the end of a very long tunnel for you, your case will be reviewed in 25 years.”
— Varisa Lall Dass 🌊 (@vldass) August 23, 2018
Aiden McClendon’s family says they are pleased with how the state attorney’s office handled the case. They are pleased with JSO too.
— Varisa Lall Dass 🌊 (@vldass) August 23, 2018
Henry Hayes will get credit for the 896 days he already served. It goes toward his minimum mandatory sentence.
— Varisa Lall Dass 🌊 (@vldass) August 23, 2018
