A Danville man has been sentenced to 59 years in prison for 2017 murder. Circuit Judge Nancy Fahey handed down the sentence Thursday on 25-year-old Latron Cross for the shooting death of Ollie Williams. The victim was found lying in the 1400 block of Eastview, just north of Voorhees Street.
According to testimony at Cross’ trial, Williams had been riding his bicycle along Eastview Drive when a car pulled up and he was shot twice in the mid-section of his body. Williams was assisted by a passerby and told witnesses and Danville Police that Latron Cross shot him.
Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy argued before the jury that the victim told police who shot him before he died. ‘’He saw something and he said something – and he told police who shot him,’’ said Lacy in closing arguments at the trial. But Vermilion County Public Defender Mike Mara disagreed. ‘’He didn’t shoot Ollie and he didn’t kill Ollie,’’ said Mara during closing arguments. Mara added it was a tragedy that Williams was killed, but he said Cross had an alibi.
State’s Attorney Lacy says Cross (shown in photo) will be required to serve 100-percent of the 59 year sentence, plus three years of mandatory supervised release. At the sentencing hearing, the State’s Attorney presented aggravation regarding the defendant’s gang involvement.
The matter was investigated by Danville Police. The case was prosecuted by Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy and First Assistant State’s Attorney Stephanie Weber.
