Cairo murderer sentenced to 51 years in prison

Judge Mark Clarke sentenced Marquad Harris, 19, of Cairo, Illinois, to 51 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Harris was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury March 11. Harris shot and killed Christopher Nelson, 34, of Cairo on June 12, 2015, at 602 Jefferson St. in Cairo.

Nelson was shot twice, and about five shell casings were taken from the scene of the shooting, according to Alexander County State's Attorney Zachary Gowin.

Nelson was the father of Harris' younger brother, Gowin said.

"This is a tragic case where the lives of two families are forever changed, but I believe justice has been served," Gowin wrote in a news release.

First-degree murder is punishable by 20 to 60 years incarceration in the Illinois Department of Corrections, but the charge is enhanced by a minimum of 25 years if a firearm was used during the crime, according to a news release written by Gowin.

Pertinent address: 602 Jefferson St., Cairo, IL