A man who was accused of pushing a former Marine between two cars of a moving Red Line train in the Loop, causing the man to be dragged to his death, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. Ryan Munn, 21, was initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder and mob action, but after he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge, Judge Domenica Stephenson sentenced him to just four years.
After receiving the state’s standard 50% sentence reduction and getting credit for the two years he spent in jail before pleading, Munn did not spend any time in prison.
Another man, Fajor Hodges, remains in jail facing similar charges for his alleged role in Balde’s death.
During Munn’s bail hearing in April 2020, prosecutors said CTA surveillance video showed Balde, 29, smiling and jokingly raising his fists at Hodges on the Jackson platform on the evening of April 8.
Hodges punched Balde, then Munn stepped in and pushed Balde, who fell between two cars of a southbound Red Line train, according to the state’s initial allegations. Balde’s lower body became trapped in the train, which dragged him along the platform to his death.
At the time of Balde’s death, Hodges was on bail for two felony charges, including a flash-mob style shoplifting raid at a Gold Coast convenience store, which was caught on video.
Hodges is the 53rd person CWBChicago has identified who was accused of killing, shooting, or trying to kill or shoot someone in Chicago that year while on felony bail. At least 35 of the 66 victims involved in those crimes died.
Munn will remain on parole until June 21, 2023.
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