A Vermilion County Circuit Court Judge has denied a motion to dismiss charges in a Danville murder case. Twenty-year-old Christopher Condon is charged with first degree murder and other charges in the February 2018 stabbing and beating death of local businessman Jay Hein.
During a hearing Wednesday afternoon (November 13, 2019) Condon’s attorney, Patrick Campanelli, complained about the filing of a new felony murder charge months after the original charges. And Campanelli claimed it was done for no other reason than to delay the case or punish the defendant for not pleading guilty. But Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pawl told Judge Nancy Fahey there is ‘’no evidence it’s an attempt to punish the defendant. That’s just not true,’’ added Pawl.
Jay Hein was 51 when his body was found in his home in the 3600 block of Bayview Drive in February of last year. He was the owner of the 610 Tap in Danville at the time and Campanelli said during Wednesday’s hearing that there is a video tape of his client and Hein leaving the bar together. Campanelli also said it is alleged that there was an argument at some point and Hein was stabbed. Danville Firefighters found the body after a neighbor reported there was smoke coming from Hein’s home. Firefighters found a small fire inside the home along with the body. Hein had suffered multiple stab wounds and was apparently beaten with a hammer according to information released earlier in court.
The Judge said a December 2nd trial date in the case will stand.
