Lang
10/21/20
A trial date has been set for two of three men accused of killing another man during an attempted robbery last spring.
22-year-old Durojaiye Rosa and 32-year-old Patrick Bland of Rockford, Illinois are scheduled to stand trial on 1st Degree Murder charge on January 5th. That date was set by Judge Lars Anderson on Monday. Anderson also set case management conferences for December 4th.
Rosa, Bland and 44-year-old Reginald Little of Cross Park Avenue are accused of killing Kejuan Winters of Broadway Street on April 20th. Online records indicate Anderson cancelled Little’s scheduled November 3rd trial. Anderson ordered a new trial date to be set by the end of the week.
Rosa allegedly told investigators that he and Little entered Winters’ apartment only with the intent of robbing him, not shooting him. Anderson ruled that comment incriminated Little, which is why he was granted a separate trial.
If convicted of 1st Degree Murder, each man faces life in prison.
Police have charged two others in connection with the case. 22-year-old Jordan Hogan of Cross Park Avenue was arrested for allegedly lying to detectives to help the suspects escape. He’s charged with Obstructing Prosecution or Defense, an Aggravated Misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of two years in prison. A case management conference is set for December 14th.
31-year-old Whitney Claybon of Cross Park Avenue was arrested after she allegedly told investigators that she had driven one of the suspects to Chicago to help him escape the area. Investigators later learned she had actually driven him to Minnesota. Claybon is charged with Accessory After the Fact and Obstructing Prosecution. If convicted on both charges, she faces a maximum of four years in prison. A case management conference is set for Monday.
Winters’ father, 41-year-old Tyris Winters of Peoria, and 39-year-old Tony Watkins of Davis Street are accused of confronting another person about the shooting at the Super 8 Motel on Hayden Fry Way, with Winters allegedly shooting the man in the head and foot. Both men are charged with Attempted Murder, Going Armed with Intent and Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury. If convicted on all charges, they each face a maximum of 35 years in prison. Trial is set for January 26th.
