An Aurora man has been re-sentenced for a murder he committed in 2002.

Matthew A. Quigley, 30, of Aurora, was sentenced Friday, June 12, 2015, by Circuit Judge James C. Hallock to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the October 2002 murder of David Morales.

Quigley was convicted in May 2007 of first-degree murder. Prosecutors presented evidence that on Oct. 16, 2002, Quigley shot to death 23-year-old David Morales of Aurora in an attempt to attain higher status in his street gang.

In September 2007, Quigley was sentenced to life in prison in the case. The sentence was mandatory under Illinois law at the time because Quigley had previously been convicted of murder — he was convicted of the November 2002 shooting death of 15-year-old Erbel Valdez of Aurora, and sentenced to 64 years in prison.

Quigley was 17 years old at the time he committed both murders, and considered an adult under Illinois law.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 ruled in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory life sentences given to juveniles are unconstitutional. In addition, beginning in 2014 Illinois law redefined juveniles as anyone younger than 18 years old. The law was applied retroactively, meaning Quigley is now considered to have been a juvenile at the time he killed Morales and Valdez.

As a result, Quigley’s cases were returned to the trial court for re-sentencing.

The 64-year-sentence for the Valdez murder stands, making Quigley’s total prison sentence 109 years.

According to Illinois law, the prison sentences are to be served consecutive to one another. Quigley must serve 100 percent of the sentences. He receives credit for time already served in prison and the Kane County jail.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Jody Gleason.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release