Richard Magnan sentenced to 11 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in shooting death of Joel Bentley

Michael Lansu — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:20:12 -0600

Richard Magnan / Photo from Chicago Police

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media

An alleged gang member has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to accidentally shooting a friend while waving a gun during a Fourth of July celebration.

Richard Magnan, 35, pleaded guilty to being an armed habitual criminal and involuntary manslaughter Monday before Judge Matthew Coghlan, who sentenced him to 11 years in prison, according to court and prison records.

Magnan, who has numerous facial tattoos, including one that reads, “F--- the world,” was shot his friend, Joel Bentley, early July 5, prosecutors said.

The two friends were at a Fourth of July party before walking to a Walgreens parking lot in the 6200 block of South Austin Avenue, prosecutors said.

It was there that Magnan grabbed a gun from his truck and started waving it around, prosecutors said. Magnan's friends told him to put the gun away, but before he could it discharged and struck the 30-year-old Bentley in the abdomen.

Bentley, of the 5000 block of South Keating Avenue, died hours later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Magnan initially fled the scene, but was later arrested in a Willowbrook hotel, according to prosecutors, who said he admitted to shooting his friend. Both men were purported members of the 2-6 street gang, prosecutors claimed.

Magnan, of the 2600 block of West 90th Place in Evergreen Park, will receive credit for 154 days spent in jail since his arrest, according to court records.

Prosecutor: Gang member Richard Magnan fatally shot friend Joel Bentley while waving gun around

Michael Lansu — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 06:46:30 -0500

Richard Magnan / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

An accused gang member who told police he keeps a gun to protect himself from rivals accidentally shot and killed a member of his own gang while waving that weapon around outside a Southwest Side Walgreens over the Fourth of July weekend, Cook County prosecutors said.

Richard Magnan, who has numerous face tattoos, including one that reads, “F--- the world” and a White Sox logo, was friends with Joel Bentley — the man he shot in the early morning hours of July 5, Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Molesky said.

Bentley was a member of the 2-6 street gang, Molesky said.

Magnan is also a purported member of the same gang.

Both men were at an Independence Day party before they and another friend walked to the Walgreens parking lot in the 6200 block of South Austin Avenue early Saturday, Molesky said.

Once there, Magnan, of Evergreen Park, went to his truck, grabbed his gun and pointed it to the other two men, Molesky said.

Magnan’s friends told him to put the gun away after he allegedly pulled the slide back and ejected a live round but he refused, Molesky said.

Magnan continued to wave the gun around and held it sideways, Molesky said.

At some point, the gun went off and a bullet struck 30-year-old Bentley in the abdomen, Molesky said.

Bentley, of the 5000 block of South Keating Avenue, died hours later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Magnan, 35, fled the scene but was arrested Monday in a Willowbrook hotel, according to a police report.

Magnan was identified by witnesses and allegedly admitted shooting his friend.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered Magnan held in lieu of $3 million bond Wednesday on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Magnan was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for a 2003 attempted murder.

He also has two convictions for possession of a stolen vehicle and a 2004 weapon conviction from Nevada.

Richard Magnan | Homicide Watch Chicago

Richard Magnan sentenced to 11 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in shooting death of Joel Bentley

Prosecutor: Gang member Richard Magnan fatally shot friend Joel Bentley while waving gun around