29-year-old Michael Mays of Bloomington will see 55 years in prison for shooting Aaron Robinson to death in May 2013. (WJBC file photo)
By Joe Ragusa
BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man will see 55 years in prison for shooting another man to death in May 2013. 29-year-old Michael Mays was sentenced Friday on charges of first-degree murder in the death of Aaron Robinson. Karen Robinson, Aaron's mother, says Mays should see more time in prison.
"He took my son's life, I think he should get life, which, by the time he gets out, it'll be most of his life anyways," Robinson said. "But he had no remorse from the time of the trial to now. He had no remorse whatsoever."
Mays shot Robinson after a series of altercations on May 13, 2013, and Mays contends Robinson was the aggressor in the situation. The defense filed a motion for a new trial because they say Mays' criminal record had been entered into evidence in error, but judge William Freitag denied the motion.
Both Mays and Robinson were accused of participating in gangs, but the murder was not considered gang-related. In asking for a harsher sentence, Assistant State's Attorney Jacob Harlow said Mays violated prison rules 13 times while in custody, including two fights. The defense argued those altercations were caused by friends of Robinson seeking revenge.
Mays is required to serve the entire sentence, minus 632 days of time already served. He has 30 days to appeal.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].
