15 year sentence imposed in stabbing death

Andrew Jeffrey McDonald, 30, Harrisburg was sentenced Jan. 30 in Saline County Circuit Court by Judge Walden E. Morris to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and two years mandatory supervised release.

McDonald pled guilty to the offense of second degree murder, a Class 1 Felony, according to a press release from the Saline County State's Attorney.

Second degree murder is punishable by a term of incarceration from 4 to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and $25,000 fine. The investigation was led by the Harrisburg Police Department and the Illinois State Police.

On July 7, 2012, a 911 call was placed stating there was a fight in progress at 29 North Club Street and that a male had been stabbed. The Harrisburg Police Department responded to the residence and found Eddie Hardin had been stabbed multiple times. Hardin was transported to Harrisburg Medical Center where he later died.

The investigation led police to McDonald who admitted to stabbing Hardin but argued that it was in self-defense.

Assistant State's Attorney, Jason A. Olson, led the successful prosecution of McDonald.