The Western Illinois University freshman who shot his roommate in 2020 appealed his 18-year prison sentence.
Kavion Poplous was 18 at the time of the shooting in the Thompson Hall dorm on the Macomb campus.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted first degree murder. His 18-year sentence requires him to serve at least 85% of that time.
In his appeal, Poplous argued the sentence is excessive. He said Circuit Judge Bill Poncin failed to consider his youth, lack of criminal history, strong family and community ties, and his potential to rehabilitate.
But in a unanimous decision, the appellate justices upheld the lower court ruling, saying the judge did give sufficient weight to mitigating evidence and that the court did not abuse its discretion in imposing the sentence.
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