We, the
comrades of Unit 1012, will honor and remember 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton who
died on January 29, 2013.
We, the
comrades of Unit 1012: The VFFDP, will make her one of The
82 murdered children of Unit 1012, where we will not forget her. Let us
remember how she lived and not how she died. We will always support her family
members.
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Hadiya
Pendleton
(June
2, 1997 to January 29, 2013)
|
Death
of Hadiya Pendleton
 |
| Vivian
Gordon Harsh Park |
|
|
Date
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January 29, 2013
|
Location
|
|
|
|
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Cause
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Mistaken Gang Rivalry
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Outcome
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Death of Hadiya Pendleton
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Deaths
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1 (Hadiya Pendleton)
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Non-fatal
injuries
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2
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Suspect(s)
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Michael Ward, Kenneth Williams
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Charges
|
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President Obama
mentioned Pendleton's death in his 2013 State of the Union Address in Congress, where Pendleton's
parents, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel A. Pendleton Sr., attended as
guests. The crime scene is "just a mile away from [President Obama's]
Chicago house".
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Hadiya
an hour before she was killed
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Hadiya Pendleton
(June 2, 1997 to January 29, 2013)
|
Legal proceedings
Two suspects,
Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, were arrested and indicted
with multiple counts of first degree murder, attempted
murder, aggravated discharge of a weapon and many
other charges. They told police that Pendleton was not the intended target. The
group she was standing with was mistaken for members of a rival gang. A judge denied bail for the two gang
members.
At the time of
the shooting, Ward, the gunman, was on probation. In January 2012, he pleaded
guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and was sentenced to two years
of probation. Less than three months later, he was arrested and charged with
breaking into a car. In July 2012, he was arrested for breaking into a
different vehicle. In November 2012, he was arrested for misdemeanor
trespassing. During his youth, he had also been arrested numerous times on
charges ranging from robbery to battery to marijuana possession, and had spent
time on juvenile probation.
Ward and Williams were each charged with
first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm.
The trial started on August 14, 2018. On August 22nd, 2018, a jury found
Williams guilty of first degree murder of Pendleton. Williams was also found
guilty of aggravated battery to her friends, Sebastian Moore and Lawrence
Sellers. On August 23rd, 2018, a jury found Ward guilty of first degree murder
in the death of Pendleton. Ward was sentenced to 84 years in prison on January
14th, 2019. Williams is awaiting sentencing.
 |
Dwight
Call holds a photo of Hadiya Pendleton, gunned down by a Chicago gang.
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Legacy
In
the song "Jonylah Forever", rapper, Lupe Fiasco presents an alternate
reality where Jonylah Watkins who was murdered by gun violence at the age of 6
months in Chicago grew to be a doctor and met Hadiya Pendleton who grew to be
an artist in Chicago. The song is featured on the album Drogas Wave.
 |
Nathaniel
and Cleo, the Parents of Hadiya Pendleton
|
Hadiya Pendleton's parents say her killer deserves death penalty
By: Larry Yellen
Posted: Aug
27 2018 09:23PM CDT
Video Posted:
Aug 27 2018 09:50PM CDT
Updated: Aug
27 2018 10:13PM CDT
The parents
of Hadiya Pendleton opened up Monday about her murder, which drew national
attention to violence in Chicago.
Four days
after a guilty verdict for Hadiya's murder, Nathaniel and Cleo say the last
five years have been a very trying time. They also say they wish Hadiya's
killer could get the death penalty.
“We
can only go speak to a grave. No. I think it's totally unfair,”
Nathaniel said.
Hadiya’s
father says that if the death penalty were available in Illinois, Michaeil Ward
would deserve it. Hadiya's mother agrees.
“I
don't think its cruel to say that you incited this on these people, so why are
you still able to live the rest of your days out and have, possibly, the
opportunity to enjoy the later part of your life?” Cleo said.
Ward faces
from 51 years in prison to life. He was convicted of first-degree murder for
killing the 15-year-old honor student five and half years ago. Kenneth
Williams, the getaway driver, faces 26 to 90 years behind bars. Hadiya's
parents say the convictions give them much satisfaction, but nothing can
compensate for the loss of their teenaged daughter.
“In
the end, justice did prevail, and that's the only thing I can say that I'm
overjoyed about,” Nathaniel said.
“It's
hell. You know, there's no other way to put it. Every day you see different
things, you see her friends, family, or someone who's not even related to you,
having a mother-daughter time, and it is absolutely heart-wrenching. Because
I’ll never have that,” Cleo said.
Hadiya's
parents says that with the wait for justice finally over, it's like a weight's
been lifted off their lives.
“I
pray for the families that are still out there waiting for justice for their
lost loved ones, because now that I have it I know what relief feels like. And
I just wish it for everyone else,” Cleo said.
Ward's case
is back in court on October 10th for post-trial motions. No sentencing date has
been set.
Mickiael Ward, convicted in Hadiya Pendleton death, sentenced to 84
years in prison
By Leah Hope
and Alexis McAdams
Monday,
January 14, 2019 05:27PM
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The man convicted of gunning down 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton
in a South Side park was sentenced Monday to 84 years in prison.
Mickiael
Ward, who spoke during the hearing at a Cook County courthouse, had faced at
least 50 years behind bars.
WATCH: Hadiya
Pendleton's mother reads statement at sentencing of Mickiael Ward
The
sentencing comes six years after Ward fired into a crowd of King College Prep
High School students who were at a South Side park. Those gunshots hit and
killed Pendleton and injured two of her friends.
A jury found
Ward guilty on all counts related to the shooting. Kenneth Williams, the
accused getaway driver, was also found guilty.
Before the
judge's sentencing Ward spoke, saying "I didn't even do it." Ward
said he was sorry for the family and he wished the family knew who actually
killed their daughter, but he didn't do it.
Cook County
Assistant State's Attorney Brian Holmes called Ward "a sociopath,"
noting that Ward was on probation when the shooting happened, adding that
"he is the face of senseless gun violence in Chicago."
During the
hearing, Pendleton's mother and brother shared victim impact statements,
telling the court about their anger and pain.
Ward's mother
and grandmother testified that Ward adheres to his innocence.
Pendleton's
death made national headlines. She was shot and killed just days after
performing at President Barack Obama's inauguration. Michelle Obama attended
her funeral.
Pendleton's
brother and mother offered statements in the heading.
Attorneys for
Ward filed a motion for a new trial, which was denied.
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