THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE RELEASE
On August 18, 2022, Henry Graham, formerly of Danville, Illinois, was sentenced today after a plea of guilty to twenty seven (27) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of First Degree Murder, and the entire sentence shall be followed by three (3) years of Mandatory Supervised Release (i.e., Parole).
During the plea, Circuit Judge Charles C. Hall heard evidence establishing that on January 3, 2019 in the morning hours Super 8 Hotel staff arrived at room number 206 and located Tara Jackson unresponsive. The hotel staff called 911 and police arrived to secure the scene. Tara was found Jackson deceased inside the room.
Through the course of investigation by the Danville Police Department and the Illinois State Police, it was discovered through video evidence and eye witness accounts that Tara Jackson and the Graham arrived at the hotel in Danville, Illinois on the evening of January 2, 2019. From neighboring rooms witnesses advised police they heard arguing and yelling coming from the victim‘s room in the overnight hours. Graham‘s DNA was discovered on items in the room. Graham was arrested on January 11, 2019 and admitted to choking Tara Jackson before he stole her car and personal belongings. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Amanda Youmans found that Tara Jackson died of asphyxiation due to manual strangulation and smothering.
During the sentencing hearing State‘s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy presented a victim impact statement from the victim‘s mother Molly Jackson. Molly Jackson stated “My husband and I should not be here today. Our daughter should still be with us. But here we are, because of you. I can still remember vividly our last with Tara.” Molly went on to describe how beautiful Tara was during her life.
