Court sentences man in home invasions that targeted veteran

Jan. 30—EDWARDSVILLE — A Collinsville man was sentence to 42 years in prison, with an additional six months for contempt of court for interrupting Circuit Judge Kyle Napp during a hearing Monday.

Jaleen S. Gladney, 28, had been set to be sentenced last week in a series of home invasions and attempted burglary targeting a 65-year-old man.

Gladney was found guilty of two counts of home invasion, both Class X felonies and one with a firearm enhancement; and one count each of attempted residential burglary and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, both Class 2 felonies.

According to court documents, on both July 8 and July 9 Gladney entered a home in the 2200 block of East 24th Street, Granite City, knowing the resident to be present. On July 8 Gladney struck the resident, causing injury, and on July 9 threatened the resident with a handgun.

On July 11 Gladney entered the same property while armed with the intention of committing theft; and was found to be in possession of a Ruger LC9 firearm.

On Dec. 6 a jury found Gladney guilty on all counts.

'No mercy'

He was sentenced to 20 years for each home invasion, to be served concurrently, and an additional 15 years for the charge involving the weapon; and seven years each for the other two charges, which will be served concurrently after he serves the time for the home invasions.

In all he was sentenced to 42 years in prison and must serve at least half of that.

After a contentious hearing, in which Napp chided Gladney several times for his attempt to delay the proceeding, she was announcing his sentence when he interrupted her several times, eventually resulting in his being cited for criminal contempt and drawing a six-month sentence that must be served before he begins serving his full sentence.

Assistant State's Attorney Morgan Hudson argued for the lengthy sentence, citing Gladney's criminal history that went back to a home invasion when he was a juvenile.

She noted he had absolutely no work history and had always supported himself by criminal activity.

"This is what the defendant does and has done, for his entire life," she said.

She also noted he was on parole or supervised release for a burglary conviction at the time of the latest home invasion.

"He deserves no mercy," she said.

'Excessive and uncalled for'

During the hearing Gladney maintained his innocence, arguing against the evidence presented at his trial.

At one point Hudson objected to Gladney's statements as being immaterial to the sentencing.

"What he's talking about doesn't have anything to do with the sentencing, but he's representing himself so I'm going to let him talk," Napp said.

Gladney then called Hudson "rude" for objecting, and Napp told him that's what attorneys do, and to continue.

Eventually Napp chided Gladney for stopping, looking at the clock and otherwise delaying the proceeding, eventually giving him a deadline to conclude his arguments.

"I'm stopping you at 2:15 so whatever you have to say, you have six minutes to say it, then I'm stopping you," she said.

Gladney then accused the court of prejudice, saying, "They convicted this man of nothing."

"I don't deserve this type of treatment, it's excessive and uncalled for," he said, adding it was a violation of his constitutional rights.

'Very stiff sentence'

In passing sentence, Napp said many of Gladney's statements were "flat-out wrong and a lie," adding the evidence in the case was "overwhelming."

She noted that the victim identified Gladney by his voice when Gladney was cross examining him. At the time, the victim said he had not had a chance to have a conversation with Gladney until the trial.

Gladney continued to argue with Napp and make comments during the sentencing, eventually drawing the contempt citation.

After the hearing, Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine said they have to do "everything we can" to send a message that home invasion and residential burglaries will not be tolerated.

"In this case, this is a repeat criminal, totally unrepentant, and victimized a valuable member of our community," he said, noting the victim was a military veteran who was saving up money for an operation.

"We asked for a very stiff sentence, and the judge gave a very stiff sentence, and we're glad she did," Haine continued. "There are certain criminals that need to be removed from our streets so they don't continue to victimize others."

He said Gladney's actions during the hearing was "trying to get our system to react emotionally as a way of getting an appeal hook."

"Thankfully Judge Napp responded professionally as she always does," Haine said. "The system treated him with every respect accorded by the constitution and the laws of our land; it just so happens that he is guilty beyond any shred of doubt despite what he says.

"We hope this sends a message that residential burglary and home invasion will not be tolerated."

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