Chicago — A 12-time convicted felon has been sentenced to six years in prison for trying to carjack a 71-year-old woman on Chicago’s Northwest Side last spring. That makes Daniel Murphy, 47, a 13-time convicted felon.
Murphy, who was originally charged under the name Daniel Gilardon, pleaded guilty to unlawful vehicular invasion before Judge Pamela Stratigakis, according to court records. Prosecutors dropped charges of attempted vehicular hijacking and aggravated battery of a senior citizen in the plea deal.
According to police and prosecutors, the 71-year-old was sitting in the driver’s seat of her car in the Jewel-Osco parking lot, 4743 North Cumberland, on the evening of April 13, 2022, when Murphy opened her door and tried to take her keys from the ignition.
He punched, kicked, and pulled on the woman to get her out of the car, but prosecutors said she fought back, secured her keys, and screamed for help. Her screams captured the attention of a nearby off-duty officer, who stepped in and identified himself as a cop.
Murphy allegedly claimed that he and his “mother” were “arguing over a jacket.” But the snappy septuagenarian quickly dispelled the notion that she was related to Murphy, and the off-duty cop detained him until police arrived.
According to court records, Stratigakis gave Murphy credit for the 296 days he spent in jail and another 105 days of discretionary credit toward his prison sentence, which will also be reduced by 50% for good behavior. His parole date is set for December 20, 2024.
His previous prison sentences include time for retail theft in 2016 and 1999, burglaries in 2012 and 2001, criminal damage in 2010, domestic battery in 2007, theft in 2005, and possession of a stolen vehicle in 1996. In 1993, he was convicted of possessing a stolen vehicle, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and robbery.
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