Edward Leak never pulled the trigger and wasn't even at the crime scene. But the former Chicago cop was convicted of first-degree murder and murder-for-hire.
The state was asking for a life sentence. The judge stopped short of that, handing down 75 years, which by law he must serve every day of, so in effect, prosecutors say, Leak will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
"Ed is an innocent man; they had no proof against him whatsoever," said his father, Edward Leak Sr., maintaining his son's innocence.
If that name -- Leak -- sounds familiar it's because Edward Leak Jr. is also the nephew of the president of Leak and Sons Funeral Homes on the South Side and worked there at one point as well.
Last month, Leak was found guilty of hiring two men to kill Hamilton. Prosecutors say Leak held a $500,000 life insurance policy on Hamilton.
Leak's father and ex-wife, who held photos of their two daughters, gave tearful pleas for mercy.
Leak himself gave a long statement, denying any guilt and telling the judge he would actually prefer death to sitting in prison for the rest of his life.
"I say he gets 75 years and every time those cell doors close behind him, it'll pierce him like those ten bullets the had had shot in my brother," said Jacqueline Chaney, victim's sister.
Hamilton was a former limousine driver for Leak and Sons Funeral Home. He was under suspicion for embezzling from the business with Leak Jr.'s help.
Earlier this month, John Brown was convicted of carrying out the killing. He got 50 years. And Alfred Marley pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and got 27 years for helping carry it out.
Judge Diane Cannon told Leak he had it all, and she did not know how someone like him could be rehabilitated.
But afterwards, Leak's family said he's taking the fall for the actions of many other corrupt cops.
"Today, he sits in the status of a sacrificial lamb, he is a political prisoner," said Linda Leak, defendant's sister.
Leak's family says he will appeal.
The victim would have turned 40 years old Wednesday. He has an identical twin brother who said rather than celebrating their birthday together, his family is going to the cemetery to lay flowers in Fred's memory.
Because of truth-in-sentencing laws, Edward Leak Jr. will not get out in 30 or 40 years, there's no credit for good behavior when it comes to murder.
