A Gary man got four years on work release Wednesday after a plea deal for killing a man who was helping to deliver an engine in 2022.

George James’ first murder trial ended in a hung jury in March.

He was charged with murder and three counts of intimidation for the Oct. 2, 2022 shooting death of Arlandus Jackson, 37, of Chicago, who helped his friend Marcus Johnson take an engine out to Gary.

After the mistrial, James, 47, pleaded guilty in October to battery resulting in serious bodily injury. He faced up to four years in prison, but prosecutors agreed he could serve the term in Lake County Community Corrections.

Prosecutors cited issues with Johnson’s credibility — their main witness — and cell phone records that didn’t definitively link James there during the shooting that weakened their case.

Jackson’s widow, Chassity Logan, 38, told the court Wednesday that he was a “protector.”

James’ actions — driven by his “ego” — left their two kids without a father. She thought the sentencing would give her some satisfaction and closure, but sadly concluded it ultimately wouldn’t bring him back.

“Forgiveness is not for me to give you,” she said. “It is for you to seek.”

Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Dafoe noted James was arrested in May for operating while intoxicated with a pending case in Gary city court after his release.

There was no “provocation” for the shooting, she said.

She asked for four years in Community Corrections, if he qualified.

Defense lawyer Gojko Kasich said Jackson was in the “wrong place at the wrong time.”

A prior, unrelated, attempted murder charge had been dismissed and shouldn’t count against his client, the lawyer argued.

When Judge Samuel Cappas noted James wouldn’t qualify for the Community Corrections program, Kasich said he could override it. James “didn’t intend to kill” Jackson, Kasich said.

James apologized to Jackson’s family.

It was “not even supposed to happen like that,” he said.

James said Johnson was going into his trailer. He fired shots that hit Jackson instead. Johnson took off in a truck. James didn’t help Jackson.

“I got scared,” he said. “I’m here to face that.”

Cappas sentenced him to the Lake County Community Corrections’ Kimbrough work release program. James said he wouldn’t appeal.

The case was “very sad for everyone involved,” Cappas said.

mcolias@post-trib.com