Court Orders Hearing for Joliet Murder Convict
The Illinois 3rd District Appellate Court ruled that Adam Landerman is entitled to a hearing regarding his life sentence.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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The Illinois 3rd District Appellate Court has ordered an evidentiary hearing for Adam Landerman regarding the life sentence he is serving for the 2013 murders of Terrance Rankins and Eric Glover Jr. The court determined that the previous dismissal of Landerman's petition, which challenged his prison sentence, was premature.
Why it matters
The court mandated the hearing to evaluate whether Landerman's sentence violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution. This proceeding will allow Landerman to present evidence concerning his age, brain development, and personal circumstances at the time of the 2013 crimes.
Adam Landerman was 19 years old at the time of the crimes, while co-defendants Joshua Miner and Bethany McKee are also serving life sentences. The court confirmed that Landerman's sentence does not violate the Eighth Amendment.
The players
Adam Landerman
He is a convicted murderer currently serving a life sentence for the deaths of two men in Joliet.
Illinois 3rd District Appellate Court
This judicial body oversees appeals from trial courts across the district and issued the recent opinion on Landerman's case.
Bethany McKee
She is a co-defendant in the 2013 murder case who is currently serving a life sentence, with pending motions for a new trial.
Sarah Jones
She is the judge currently tasked with reconsidering the decision to grant a new trial for Bethany McKee.
The details
Landerman argues that his youth, family dysfunction, and peer influence were not adequately considered during his original sentencing for the events on North Hickory Street. While the appellate court cleared the sentence of Eighth Amendment violations, it ruled that an evidentiary hearing is necessary to review the Illinois constitutional claims.
Timeline
January 9, 2013: Terrance Rankins and Eric Glover Jr. were murdered.
October 15, 2026: Appellate court ruled in favor of Landerman's appeal.
Legal Context
The court's ruling on the proportionate penalties clause follows a pattern set by recent challenges to mandatory life sentences for youthful offenders. This case highlights the shifting judicial approach to evaluating brain development and peer influence in sentencing older teenagers.
Residents may see further court proceedings as the local judiciary re-examines the evidence in this high-profile 2013 murder case. These developments mark a continued legal process involving multiple defendants who were convicted in the Joliet area.
The takeaway
The appellate court's decision emphasizes the ongoing debate regarding how courts assess the culpability of youthful offenders in serious criminal cases. Legal experts continue to monitor these developments to see if similar arguments will impact other long-term sentences in the state.
Further reading
For more updates on local legal developments, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Shaw Local.
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