Judge Imposes Life Sentence on Degorski for Murder

James Degorski found guilty of first-degree murders on Oct. 20

The man convicted last month of taking part in a massacre at a chicken restaurant in Palatine 17 years ago was back in court Wednesday, this time to officially hear the judge sentence him to life in prison.

Judge Vincent Gaughan officially entered the jury's verdict against James Degorski of life in prison with no chance of parole.

The jury verdict was handed down Oct. 20. Degorski narrowly escaped the death penalty when two jurors held our for life in prison.

Degorski's high school friend and co-defendant, Juan Luna, was convicted in 2007 and is currently serving a life sentence at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet.

Gaughan set December 2nd as the date for defense motions requesting a new trial.

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