Man Gets 20 Years in Prison for Bel-Ridge Murder

A man was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty for the murder of a Bel-Ridge man in 2011.

James B. Wilson, 21, pleaded guilty to , in an apartment at 9050 Torchlamp in Bel-Ridge on Jan. 4, 2011.

Circuit Court Judge Richard C. Bresnahan sentenced Wilson to 20 years in prison for each count of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action.

Wilson also was charged to 15 years for each count of shooting a weapon at a home or from a vehicle and a second count of armed criminal action. All sentences will run concurrently.

A second man, Jamon Spurlock, 20, of the 7000 block of Lauphner in Hazelwood, originally was charged with murder in the case in addition to Wilson. Spurlock pleaded guilty last September to second-degree robbery and is scheduled for sentencing May 3.

Police said Kelly had been staying at the apartment for a few days and knew the suspects. Police said robbery was the motive in the case. 

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For more crime information on Hazelwood Patch, see the following articles:

• Hazelwood Man charged in Bel-Ridge murder
• Murder Suspect: I Was the Lookout Man