A Danville man has been sentenced to natural life in prison for killing a man four years ago. Circuit Judge Nancy Fahey sentenced 42-year-old Theron Price Thursday for the shooting death of William Newbern III.
The judge said the life sentence is necessary to deter others, particularly at a time when gun violence is rampant in the community.
And the judge called Price’s actions – shooting Newbern three times in the back ‘’despicable and un-excusable’’ as she passed the sentence.
‘’You shot someone you called a friend,’’ said Judge Fahey, adding, ‘’it’s mind-boggling you’d do that.’’
Price had no comment when asked whether he wanted to say something before being sentenced. He had been convicted by a Vermilion County Circuit Court Jury on first-degree murder charges.
Newbern’s body was found in a yard in the 500 block of North Griffin Street, about a block from his apartment, in November of 2014.
Sharon Wills-Young, the victim’s mother, says she ‘’can’t even explain the love Tray showed for everyone.’’ Tray was the name used by the victim. His father, Roscoe Newbern, praised Danville Police. ‘’They did a great job,’’ said Newbern. ‘’They told me the day of the killing they would get to the bottom of it – and they did.’’
