Archer sentenced for involuntary manslaughter

NewsTribune (La Salle, IL)

By Shannon Crawley-Serpette

Putnam-Marshall Bureau Chief

HENNEPIN - Matthew Archer, who was found guilty Oct. 1 of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 3-year-old Jordan Cain, was sentenced Thursday to eight years in prison.

Although Archer, 29, of Granville, had no prior criminal history, Judge Scott Shore said that treating the matter seriously encourages caregivers to "take extra precaution" with those they are caring for.

Since Cain was only 3 when she died on Oct. 24, 2003, Archer was eligible for an extended-term sentence, which, for the Class 3 felony of involuntary manslaughter, was 5-10 years in prison.

Shore told the Putnam County courtroom that Archer's failure to tell medical personnel what had really happened to Cain prevented them from taking the best course of medical action for her.

"Your failure to show immediate remorse indicated your primary interest was in saving yourself and not the defenseless child in your care," Shore said.

Before sentencing, Archer made a statement.

"I want to tell everyone how sorry I am this happened," he said, adding that he misses Jordan. "I did not intend to harm her although I feel morally responsible because I was at fault."

Earlier in the hearing, Cain's mother, Christy, told Shore what impact Cain's death, which was caused by abdominal hemorrhage due to blunt force trauma, has had on her.

"Jordan will never get to see life the way we do," she read, from a prepared statement. "We sometimes ask ourselves why Bean? Bean was a good little girl."

"Bean" was Jordan's nickname.

Because both she and Brian Cain, Jordan's father, had a substance abuse problem, they sought help with caring for their children, Christy said, adding this would have never happened if they hadn't made bad choices.

Janice Archer, Jordan's foster mother and Archer's wife, testified she is facing overwhelming financial problems without Archer's income. She briefly addressed her sister Christy during her statements.

"Brian, Chris, we're sorry," she said. "I don't know what happened that night. We all miss her. She was a sweet girl."

Putnam County State's Attorney Jim Mack asked for the maximum sentence of 10 years.

"A sentence of probation in this matter would deprecate the seriousness of the offense," Mack said.

Mack said by changing his story 21 times, Archer showed his general moral character and credibility. "I would state that he has none," he said.

Archer's attorney, Kevin Sullivan, asked Shore to consider 30 months of probation, citing the financial hardship imprisonment would cause for his family and the law-abiding life he had led up to this point.

After the sentencing, Christy Cain said she wanted Archer to receive 10 years, the maximum sentence.

"He ripped my family apart," she said.

Archer will receive credit for any time already served and is eligible for day-to-day credit. Court costs will be taken from the bond that was posted in this case.

Shannon Crawley-Serpette may be reached at 339-2268 or ntputnam@ivnet.com.