CHICAGO — A Chicago man has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his own brother while on bail for a pending felony gun case three years ago.
Daron Hardy, 28, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder in exchange for a 20-year sentence from Judge William Gamboney, court records show.
After cops allegedly caught Hardy with a gun at a gas station in June 2021, Judge Susana Ortiz sent him home on a recognizance bond.
“Mr. Hardy, you are not to be in possession of weapons or firearms,” Ortiz instructed during his first court appearance. “You understand?”
“I have a [license to own firearms], though, ma’am,” Hardy replied. “How does that work?”
“And I’m your judge and I’m telling you the conditions of your bond. Do you understand me?”
“I was just asking.”
“Right,” Ortiz continued. “How that works is I’m saying you can’t possess firearms. Do you understand?”
Prosecutors said a witness and Hardy returned to Hardy’s home early one morning in February 2022 after a night out at a bar. They hung out with Hardy’s brother, Darnell, 26, but the brothers started to argue and then physically fought each other, prosecutors said.
At one point, Daron Hardy fell, and his brother punched him several times in the face before retreating to a bedroom and closing the door.
Daron Hardy allegedly retrieved a rifle and fired a shot through the door. Then he kicked the door open and shot Darnell Hardy once in the chest, prosecutors alleged.
Darnell died at the scene.
Hardy is expected to be released from prison in September 2034.
