West Chicago Man Pleads Guilty To Murdering Cousin

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A West Chicago man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to the 2015 murder of his cousin. James Hernandez, 22, was convicted of first degree murder in the fatal shooting of his 27-year-old cousin, Enrique Hernandez. The victim's body was discovered on the side of a road in unincorporated West Chicago.

According to police, Enrique Hernandez was found on the side of a road near the intersection of DuPage Road and High Lake at approximately 11:09 p.m on Nov. 20, 2015. The victim was later pronounced dead due to a gunshot wound to the head.

Police conducted an investigation that revealed James Hernandez had been traveling with his Enrique in a car when he shot Enrique in the head, took his belongings, and "pushed his body out of the vehicle and drove away," according to a release from DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "Just over two years ago, James Hernandez fatally shot his cousin Enrique Hernandez in the head. This morning, Mr. Hernandez learned that his actions on the night of November 20, 2015 will cost him the next thirty-five years of his life."

Hernandez will be eligible for parole once he serves the entirety his sentence.

>>Image via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office