 Judge Mel Abrahamson of DuPage County Circuit Court imposed the sentence after denying a motion for a new trial for Melquist. The former construction worker gulped nervously several times as Judge Abrahamson ordered him incarcerated at Joliet Penitentiary. When asked if he had anything to say for himself, he whispered, no. Of his 99-year sentence, Melquist only served just over 11 years. He was paroled and later got married and had two children.