A teen was sentenced Friday to 15 years after admitting he killed an East Chicago man in 2022 who was helping a friend get his stolen bike back near Edison Park in Hammond.

The 17-year-old, who the Post-Tribune is choosing not to name because he is a minor, pleaded guilty in July to voluntary manslaughter. He was 14 when he shot and killed Julian Valdez, 21, on June 19, 2022 near Edison Park, records show.

The case was moved to adult court last year.

Defense lawyer Sonya Scott-Dix said — during the 30-minute hearing — that her client and his cousin stole some bikes near Edison Park. The teen got off the bike and yelled at his cousin to do the same, but the cousin refused.

Valdez ended up taking the gun from the cousin and pointing it at him, she said. Court records show the defendant w

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