McHenry Co. Man Who Killed Roommate Sentenced

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A 52-year-old Richmond man has been sentenced to 26 years in prison in the fatal shooting of his roommate.

John Maki pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday for shooting Dylan Sanchez, 19, to death under a blanket on the floor of the home where they both lived. Authorities say Maki recently invited Sanchez, an acquaintance, to live with him in his home at 11105 Serenity Path in Richmond prior to the shooting on March 15, 2019.

Maki was found inside the home at the time of the shooting and taken to Northwestern McHenry Hospital to address hallucinations and self-inflicted wounds to parts of his body. He was treated, stabilized and released within three hours after he arrived to the emergency room, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Medical and forensic testing showed cannabinoids in Maki's system and authorities found several cannabis smoking pipes at the murder scene as well as marijuana plants, according to prosecutors.

Maki had no criminal history. He was initially deemed unfit to stand trial after he was charged, but he was deemed mentally fit for trial on Oct. 14, 2022.