CAMBRIDGE, Illinois — After nearly three hours of deliberation, a Henry County jury delivered a guilty verdict in the trial of Daylon Richardson.
Following two days of arguments and witness testimony, Richardson was found guilty on two counts of murder in the death of Knox County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Weist.
Neither Richardson's defense nor the state presented any new evidence or witnesses Thursday before jury deliberations. Both the prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments today, with the main question being whether or not Richardson's actions were intentional or simply reckless.
"They (testimony and evidence) show you that the defendant’s actions were all choices reflecting that it was his intent to get away from the police at any cost that day and I ask that you find him guilty of murder," Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty said.
The defense followed the prosecutor in giving their closing arguments, bringing up aggravated reckless homicide as an alternative to murder charges.
"He’s going about 100 mph and he goes into this loose gravel and grassy area. He loses control of his vehicle. He realizes he’s gonna crash... He realizes that. He also sees the stop strips. He doesn’t know what to do. He tried to get control of his vehicle but he just didn’t," Defense Attorney Bruce Carmen said.
The prosecution rebutted with the following: "He had fantastic control of that vehicle because he drove it for 12 minutes from Galesburg at 100 mph and managed to stay on the roadway that whole time until something got in his way and then he had to make his decision. His fight or flight and he chose flight," Runty said.
In April 2022, police responded to a Circle K gas station on Main Street in Galesburg after a 911 call of a man with a gun. A chase soon followed on Highway 150 north of town. Deputy Weist was setting up spike strips to stop Richardson's vehicle as it fled from a traffic stop. Richardson was arrested after crashing his car into a field.
The prosecution Tuesday showed dash-cam footage from Weist's squad car of the officer laying down the spike strips. Seconds later, Richardson's car comes into frame and he strikes Weist. Weist died at the scene.
His daughter, son and wife were all in the courtroom today holding hands and crying together when the verdict came down. Both the Knox County Sheriff and HEnry County State's Attorney said they were happy with the decision.
Richardson's sentencing is scheduled for May 24 at 9 a.m. He faces life in prison.