Thursday, October 8, 2009

Bank robber says he's sorry for deadly heist

Sentencing for a two year old crime at Illinois Service Federal courtesy of the Sun-Times:
Just after admitting he took part in one of the most violent bank robberies in recent Chicago history, a shackled Henry Bluford leaned into the microphone Wednesday and asked a federal judge if he could say a few words.

In his orange jail jumpsuit, Bluford turned to Verton Gibson Jr., the father of murdered bank teller Tramaine Gibson, and apologized.

“This is something I didn’t sign up for. I never expected it to happen. It hurted me that it happened,” Bluford said. “Things got out of hand. ... I just want to him to know I’m sorry here. I can’t change it, but I really am.”

The May 22, 2007, shootout at a South Side bank took Gibson’s life and injured two security guards. Bluford, who’s accused of carrying out the plot with two others, said he didn’t pull the trigger that killed Tramaine Gibson.

Bluford contends he acted as a lookout but admitted he fired his .44-caliber revolver in a gunfight that played out in a bank filled with workers and customers.
Read the whole thing. I'm choosing not to excerpt more of this article, but it's a good read.

To sum up Bluford pleaded guilty and is expected to serve in prison for 20 years. Despite the words of the defendant, the father of the late teller really wanted a steeper sentence for Bluford. Bluford also agree to cooperate against two other bank robbers and is receiving a light sentence.

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