PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria man will spend five decades in prison for a fatal shooting at the Lexington Hills Apartments two years ago.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says 23-year-old Javier McGhee was sentenced to 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on Thursday.
McGhee was convicted in May of this year for the shooting death of 27-year-old Trashawn Morris. Morris died from a single gunshot wound to the chest the evening of March 23rd, 2024.
During the sentencing hearing, Morris’ cousin testified that Morris had a bright and joyful energy that was unfairly taken away from the family, and called his loss overwhelming and paralyzing. The cousin told the court that McGhee did not just end Morris’ life, but stole his future.
During the trial, McGhee claimed self-defense after he believed Morris was trying to force his way inside after pounding on his door. Doorbell video showed Morris pounding on the door three times, and yelling “I told you to stop texting me.” McGhee then opened the door and fired a single shot.
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