THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE RELEASE
August 21, 2023
People v. Jimmie Rodgers, 2019 CF 23
On August 21, 2023, Jimmie Rodgers, formerly of Danville, Illinois, was sentenced after a plea of guilty to thirty five years (35) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of First Degree Murder, Armed with a Firearm. Rodgers, who pleaded guilty to the offense, must serve the entire period of incarceration (100%), and the sentence shall be followed by three (3) years of Mandatory Supervised Release (i.e., Parole).
During the plea, Judge Derek Girton heard evidence establishing that Jimmie Rodgers arrived at 1610 Edgewood Drive, Apartment 104, at approximately 5 a.m. on January 12, 2019. Rodgers was let into the apartment after pounding on the door. Rodgers went to the back bedroom and located a former girlfriend with the victim William Banks. Rodgers while armed with a firearm shot and killed Banks.
The Danville Police Department through the course of their investigation collected video evidence from the Green Meadows complex (now known as The Grove) that tracked Rodgers‘ steps on January 12, 2019 around 5 a.m. from an apartment of his child’s mother, to 1610 Edgewood apartment 104 (where he shot Banks), and then to his mother’s apartment at 1106 Moore Street. Rodgers fled the scene in his mother’s vehicle.
Jimmie Rodgers was apprehended by the United States Marshall’s task force on February 27, 2020 in Merriville, Indiana. Additional forensic evidence was also presented during the plea.
During the sentencing hearing, State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy presented evidence including victim impact statements from Ebony Denwiddie and Mercedes Rowel touching on their love for William. One victim stated to Rodgers that “I can never hold my son again, see his smile again, and I miss him so much each and every day!” Lacy, also thanked the victim and witnesses for their cooperation throughout the investigation and court process. “The safety of our community depends on those who bravely come forward and work with law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s office so that we may all join together to stop violent criminals.”
