The sentencing of Edward W. Edwardsen Jr. became positively literary for a brief moment Thursday.

Edwardsen was being sentenced for armed violence, attempted murder and animal cruelty convictions for a series of bizarre attacks in Elgin and Carpentersville in September 2000.

During his trial, his attorneys David Camic and John Barsanti, portrayed Edwardsen as mentally ill, drug addled and the victim of a troubled childhood that included his father using him as a pawn against his mother after their bitter divorce.

Both parents, as well as extended family, including, Edwardsen s sister, uncle and grandmother, were continually there to support Edwardsen during his trial. Both his parents wrote notes to the judge in support of their son.

In attempting to sway Kane County Judge Donald Hudson to give Edwardsen a lighter sentence, Camic quoted Shakespeare, asking the judge not to punish Edwardsen for the sins of his father,” a reference found in The Merchant of Venice.

Hudson sentenced Edwardsen to 25 years in prison, noting that his tough childhood was a factor in his decision. Edwardsen could have received up to 60 years behind bars.