Illinois judge sentences store owner to 38 years in shooting

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- A Madison store manager who shot a customer to death two years ago will spend 38 years in prison, a Madison County judge decided.

A jury convicted 28-year-old Baha "Bob" Hamdallah of first-degree murder in the October, 2000 killing of 33-year-old Madison resident Robert Steptoe. Hamdallah had argued that he and Steptoe were struggling over the weapon when it fired, but prosecutors said the shot came from several feet away.

The two men allegedly began fighting when Hamdallah told Steptoe he couldn't wait outside Charlie's Market for the food he had ordered.

Jensen recommended a 50-year sentence, but Circuit Judge Ann Callis settled on 38 years.

Steptoe's mother, Olivia Steptoe, thanked Madison and Venice residents who had protested for fear Hamdallah would not be charged with murder.

"Many of you came out of your comfort zone to make this day happen," she said. "Thank you for breaking the wall of fear."