URBANA — Defendant Jamie King was sentenced Monday, Dec. 11, by Champaign County Court of Common Pleas Judge Nick A. Selvaggio to a total indefinite term of imprisonment of 18 years to life for murder of Kaden Harkins.
King, 30, was charged with the murder of Harkins, 25, from a shooting incident that took place April 15 at an apartment shared by King and Harkins, located at 113 S. Main St., Urbana.
The defendant used a handgun to shoot the female victim 13 times, causing her death, the Champaign County Prosecutor’s Office reports.
Nov. 13, King entered a guilty plea to murder and also plead guilty to a three-year firearm specification included as part of the murder charge.
Monday, Prosecutor Kevin Talebi spoke at the sentencing hearing, indicating the defendant has a documented history of substance abuse, violence and illegal possession and use of firearms.
“Mr. King is a violent career criminal who unnecessarily took the life of an innocent young woman. Today justice was served and Mr. King will now be incarcerated for 18 years to life for his heinous conduct,” he said.
Prosecutor Talebi noted the defendant’s prior criminal record, including prior convictions for: felony drug trafficking offenses, involving a firearm (2011, South Carolina); assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill (2011, South Carolina); wanton endangerment, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, assault, intimidating a participant in legal process, involving a firearm (2020, Kentucky).
The Kentucky charges resulted in the defendant being sentenced to prison. The State of Kentucky released the defendant in November 2021, placing him on “shock probation” for 5 years.
However, the defendant subsequently travelled to Ohio to pursue his relationship with the victim, Harkins.
The defendant was on parole with the State of Kentucky and was in Ohio without the permission or knowledge of his Kentucky parole officer when he committed the murder of Harkins, the prosecutor noted.
“The defendant was sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment. The murder charge required the judge to impose a sentence of 15 years to life and the firearm specification required the judge to order the defendant to serve an additional three years of mandatory imprisonment,” Prosecutor Kevin Talebi said.
“The total term of imprisonment being 18 years to life. The defendant is also required to register in a violent offender registry and is still facing charges in the State of Kentucky for violating the terms of his parole.”
