DECATUR - Steven D. Johnson was sentenced Friday to life in prison by Associate Judge Timothy Steadman under Illinois' "three strikes" law, which mandates that sentence for those convicted of three Class X felonies within a 20-year span.

A jury deliberated less than one hour March 31 before returning verdicts of guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery against Johnson. He was charged in the April 11, 2007, holdup at Soy Capital Bank & Trust Co., 1501 E. Eldorado St., in which three men took more than $25,000.

During the ensuing police chase, an officer shot and killed Jerrell Chism, Johnson's 27-year-old son, when Chism pointed a handgun at another officer who was ordering him to surrender. State law provides conspirators can be charged with first-degree murder when a death occurs during the commission of an armed robbery, no matter who is the victim.

The third alleged robber, Cortez Gray, 26, is to be tried June 9 on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery.

Johnson, who turns 50 on May 23, declined to make any comment prior to being sentenced. He indicated through his attorney, Scott Rueter, that he will file a motion to have Steadman reconsider the life sentence.

If that fails, Johnson will ask for the appointment of the appellate defender to handle an appeal, Rueter said.

Also on Friday prior to the sentencing hearing, Steadman rejected a defense motion for a new trial. The motion asserted that Steadman had erred during Johnson's trial in allowing evidence of other crimes to be presented to the jury.

Steadman said those issues had been addressed during the trial, and he continued to believe he had ruled correctly.

First Assistant State's Attorney Jay Scott presented Steadman with certified copies of Johnson's prior Class X convictions as the basis for a life sentence. He said Johnson had been convicted of armed robbery in 1982 in Winnebago County and of armed robbery in 1987 in Macon County.

Johnson was on parole for the 1987 crime at the time of last year's bank robbery.

While the first conviction occurred more than 20 years ago, state law provides the 20-year time period for acquiring three Class X convictions may be extended by the time a person spends in prison.

Since his 1982 conviction, Johnson has spent 22 years, 11 months and four days in prison for his crimes, Scott said.

Based on Johnson's prior convictions, Steadman made a finding that Johnson was a habitual criminal, which was required before he could receive the life sentence.

Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973.