Judges reject Nightmare on Hickory Street killer's appeal

Adam Landerman’s murder conviction and sentence in the 2013 Nightmare on Hickory Street slayings was upheld by an appellate court last week.

In a Dec. 3 court opinion, the Illinois 3rd District Appellate Court rejected Landerman’s appeal of his first-degree murder conviction and sentence of natural life imprisonment.

Landerman, 25, argued he received ineffective legal representation during his trial, but the appellate judges found that prosecutors presented ample evidence that he was guilty of participating in the murders of Terrance Rankins and Eric Glover Jr. in 2013.

“Given the strong evidence of defendant’s guilt, defendant has not shown that a reasonable probability exists that the outcome of the trial would have been different but for counsel’s errors, even when considered cumulatively,” Appellate Judge Vicki Wright said.

Landerman also argued his sentence of natural life in prison was unconstitutional because he received ineffective legal representation and wasn’t considered for a lesser sentence based on his youth and potential for rehabilitation.

However, the appellate judges concluded Landerman’s court records are not “sufficiently developed” to address his claim that his sentence was unconstitutional.

While a presentence investigation discussed Landerman’s history of mental illness and susceptibility to peer pressure, there was “no sworn testimony or factual findings regarding these matters,” Wright said.

Similarly, the judges found Landerman’s court records do not disclose what evidence his attorneys could have presented to show how “the evolving science on juvenile maturity and brain development” could have been applied to his case to mitigate his sentence.

Landerman was sentenced to life on Sept. 25, 2015, for his role in the Hickory Street slayings. Landerman and Joshua Miner plotted with Alisa Massaro and Bethany McKee to rob Glover and Rankins for cigarette money.

Miner strangled Rankins while Landerman strangled Glover. Miner and McKee were found guilty of the murders in separate trials and sentenced to life in prison.

McKee also tried to appeal her life sentence but the Illinois Appellate Court upheld it last year.

Massaro pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for offering to testify against the others. She was paroled from prison on Feb. 23.